So should you think about a home birth?
Meghan ready to break with recent royal tradition
The pitter patter of royal baby feet is just around the corner – and Meghan Markle is said to be considering a “natural” home birth.
It wouldn’t be a first for the royal family.
Queen Elizabeth had all four of her children at home.
But the most recent trend has been for ‘safety first’.
Both Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge chose the Lindo wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London for the arrival of their babies.
Meghan, 37, is said to have her own hand-picked team ready for her delivery – but is a home birth a good option for your average mum with no access to private health care?
RISK
“A risk assessment needs to be done for every mother who is considering a home birth,” says Clare Livingstone, policy adviser for the Royal College of Midwives.
“The NICE guidance states it is perfectly appropriate for pregnant women who have no risks, even if they are first-time mothers.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or any other concerns around the pregnancy, then a home birth isn’t advised.
“Age is also a factor, but we look at the whole picture. Every woman has the right to a home birth and will be advised of risks.”
In Ireland there is a National Domiciliary Midwifery service available to eligible women who want a home birth.
Around 1% of baby deliveries in the country are in the expectant mum’s home.
But for 35-yearold mum-of-three Nicola Sheldon, it wasn’t the dream she envisaged.
“The birth of my second child, Thomas, in October 2015 was at home and was horrendous. During labour, everything appeared to be going to plan – there were no indications anything was wrong.
“But my baby was born blue and floppy – he wasn’t breathing. There were two midwives at the birth and no doctor. It was a huge shock.” Nicola and her baby had to be rushed to hospital in separate ambulances – and she was told to prepare for the worst.
She recalls: “The consultant said it was looking very bad and asked if we wanted a chaplain.
“Thomas had been starved of oxygen for more than 50 minutes. He was having uncontrollable seizures and they couldn’t stabilise him.” Eventually, Thomas underwent cooling therapy, but suffered brain damage from the lack of oxygen.
Nicola, of Berkshire, England, added: “Thank goodness the doctors saved my baby’s life – but the complications with his birth have led to severe disabilities.
“He has dystonic cerebral palsy and he’s tube fed and a wheelchair user. He’s very vulnerable and is life-limited. It was a catastrophic outcome.
“If I’d known the full possible risks, I’d have made different decisions.
“My advice to Meghan would be to ensure she has the best medics on hand. If it goes well, it will be the most incredible experience, but it can be the most horrific experience.”
Nissa Moger, 35, loved her home birth so much it inspired her to become a midwife and expert in hypnobirthing – using deep breathing techniques to manage pain. She gave birth to
daugter Jazz, now 10, in 2009 and says it was “the most wond erful experience”. She said: “It was my first pregnancy and it was i credible. The labour lasted just tree hours.
“I g in the most calming, serene envient ronm imaginable.
“Af erwards, I felt really powerful. It was such a positive experence. I would recommend
Outcome was catastrophic. Thomas is lifelimited and has severe disabilities
NICOLA SHELDON
ON HER ‘HORRENDOUS’ HOME BIRTH
I gave birth in my living room. It was such a positive experience. I felt powerful
NISSA MOGER
BIRTH INSPIRED HER TO BECOME A MIDWIFE
a home birth to any expectant mum who doesn’t have complications.” Nissa, of East London, had the same NHS midwife throughout her pregnancy.
“It helped me feel really well supported, safe and secure,” she said. “It was a very intense birth, but overwhelmingly positive.”
Cathy Finlay, 61 – who has worked as an antenatal practitioner for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) for more than 20 years – says it is important for women to be informed of all the options and to decide what is right for them.
She said: “The largest ever birth study done in the UK, showed having a home birth is a good option for anyone who has a straightforward pregnancy.
“But there is a slightly higher chance of something going wrong for a first-time mother having a baby at home.
“So, for any woman, it is down to what she feels is right for her and her family. I know lots of women who have had successful home births. One of the main benefits is that a woman giving birth at home is less likely to have intervention in the sense of a caesarean or assisted birth.”
For women experiencing anxiety as they approach their home birth, they can employ a doula – an experienced birth coach who will be with you during delivery. Cathy said: “We train doulas at the NCT. They are usually women who have had babies themselves, and who have experience and training.
“They are there for the woman and her partner. They will get to know you and be there for the whole birth.
“It provides a continuity of care not always available within the normal system.”