Home birth is a safe, considered and responsible decision. Homebirth is a great option for women who:

• Are well and having a healthy pregnancy
• Prefer a more natural, relaxed, comfortable, stress-free experience
• Are actively working towards health and wellbeing

Why choose homebirth?

Many women find that the privacy and security of their own home provides the ideal supportive, comfortable, safe environment for them to birth in. This does help to reduce stress hormones which inhibit the labour and increase the "normal" hormones conducive to a good labour and birth experience.

Other women homebirth because they wish to involve their partner and other children, or prefer to reduce the chance of intervention in their labour.

A number of scientific studies have looked into the safety of homebirth - all research has found that for healthy, low-risk women, midwife-attended homebirth is a safe option.

What if Something Goes "Wrong" at Home?

This is actually quite rare, as the qualified midwife is very competent and capable in detecting variations in the pregnancy.  Sometimes the midwife will recommend hospital birth ahead of time, with safety in mind.  If a serious  issue arose during labour, the midwife would manage the issue and supervise transfer to hospital, staying with the woman and continuing care and support to ensure a satisfactory experience and outcome for the woman and her baby.

Midwives who birth with women at home are educated and experienced to assess the wellbeing of mother and baby throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth and the postnatal / neonatal period.  The College of Midwives Guidelines for Consultation and Referral are used to support clinical decision-making in partrnership with the Client.  If the hospital is needed at any stage, there is ready access to their services.

What Will we Learn About in Pregnancy?

• What supplies and equipment you'll need in advance, so that you'll be safe, comfortable and extremely well prepared.
• How to get your home ready for the big day.
• How to get the support and encouragement you need from your partner and family so that your pregnancy and birth will be stress-free.
• How to deal with negative reactions you may get from close family and friends.
• What exactly will happen during the birth when you are in your own home (it will be very different to what you may have experienced in a hospital).
• What to do with the placenta once it's born.
• What will happen if any complications arise, what could go wrong and how will your midwife be prepared for this.
• Strategies you can use to ensure you are in peak condition, physically, mentally and emotionally for natural birth.
• Secret hints and tips to avoid a tear.
• What to expect with pregnancy and postnatal care.
• What you need to ask your midwife BEFORE you make a booking.
• The specific equipment your midwife will have access to.
• The process if your require a transfer to hospital.

What happens when you go into labour?

Many women have signs that their body is getting ready for labour well before it actually starts.  Most women keep in touch with me by phone and I will provide reassurance or visit at home.  Eventually, we decide that labour is progressing well and it is best for me to be with the woman at home.  Usually the woman has chosen a birth place in her home and this area is prepared in advance.  For example, a birth pool might be set up and homebirth supplies will be available in the birth room.

What happens after the birth?

I stay with the family for at least 2 hours, observing the woman and her baby and assisting as needed.  I do not leave until we are confident that the woman and her baby are well and breastfeeding has started.  The next consultation takes place within 24 hours (at home) and I am available by phone in between.

What can we expect to pay for midwifery care?

Please refer to this page.

What about tests and ultrasounds?

Yes, they are available and your midwife can guide you as to which are necessary, recommended or appropriate.