Active Birth

Home Birth

A planned home birth is a safe and natural alternative to a hospital birth, even for your first baby.

Home birthing can have numerous benefits. Many women find it easier to relax in familiar surroundings, your partner can be more than just a bystander, and your baby can be welcomed by family from the moment of birth. 

In addition, you will probably experience less pain by birthing at home, and you significantly reduce your chances of needing medical intervention.  This is because your body produces a complex array of hormones during labour & birth – if this delicate hormonal balance is disrupted (perhaps by being in an unfamiliar environment, or by feeling you have to behave a certain way) the birth will not run smoothly. Dr Michel Odent says labouring women need privacy, and to feel safe and protected.  The best way to achieve this is often to labour and birth at home.

Of course if there are problems during a home birth, your midwife will have the necessary emergency equipment on hand, and can arrange for you to transfer to hospital if needed.

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Water Birth

Many women feel drawn to water during labour – a hot shower, a soak in the bath, or using a special birthing pool.  Being supported in water makes it easier to relax and to get comfortable during and between contractions.  Being in a pool increases the sense of privacy, and can speed up a slow labour. Immersion in water is effective at reducing pain, and is much safer than an epidural.

Birthing in water provides a gentle entry into the world for your baby (who has, after all, spent the last nine months in a warm, watery environment!)

“Typically, women who deliver in water report a feeling of excitement, joy and lasting personal empowerment that simply cannot be matched by standard hospital birthing procedures”. Karil Daniels.

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