Mums In Bristol Encouraged To Have Homebirths

Wednesday, July 28th 2010 14:00

Phillipa Hann and 5 month old Rosie who she had at home

Women worried about having babies at home are being re-assured it's as safe as being in hospital.

This week, a campaign's been launched in the city to increase the amount of ladies having home births here from 4% to 10%.

Research shows women choose not to have births at home because they're worried if something goes wrong, but the same amount of care is still given by midwives.

Mum of two, Phillipa Hann had her second daughter Rosie at home in Westbury-on-Trym, 5 months ago.

She told us the level of care she had the second time round was as before: "I had exactly the same monitoring throughout the pregnancy and throughout the labour that I would have had, had I been in hospital. If there had been any problem they would have simply transferred me. But the real benefit about home birth in my opinion is that you're in control."

Click on the link below to hear Phillipa talk more about her experience with our reporter Roz Hutchings.

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Research shows home births can be beneficial to both mother and baby in that they offer a comforting and familiar environment which is conducive to the natural undisturbed process of labour and birth. This then reduces stress and anxiety which can only contribute towards a straightforward and positive birth experience.

Phillipa told us it was a much less painful and stressful experience than being in hospital: "If you compare humans giving birth to animals giving birth, animals won't give birth in a place where they feel vulnerable or where they feel is unfamiliar or strange. They will find somewhere where they feel is dark and warm and safe and I think it's exactly the same for humans. I do think the fact I felt safe and I was in somewhere that was familiar and not a strange environment for me, made my labour quicker and less painful.

The NHS does say that home births are not a suitable and recommended option for all women and anyone considering a home birth should discuss this with their midwife.

For more information head to www.bristolpct.nhs.uk.