Halcyon Homebirth Team
Having your baby at home
Hillingdon Hospital offers a fully comprehensive homebirth service, providing women with continuity of care in the comfort of their own home. Latest evidence shows that when having an uncomplicated pregnancy, especially with a second or subsequent baby, that it is safer for women to deliver their babies at home. Women delivering at home require less pain relief, are less likely to need medical intervention and are more likely to be satisfied with their experience during their labour and delivery. Aside from the medical benefits of homebirth, it can enrich a woman’s experience throughout her pregnancy, receiving one to one support from experienced midwives in the comfort of their own home and allowing the whole family to enjoy the journey of pregnancy.
Meet the team
The homebirth team is comprised of four midwives who are extremely passionate and dedicated in providing low risk, woman centred care. If selecting a homebirth then all of your care will be carried out within your own home by the same four midwives, allowing you to build a relationship with each of the team throughout your pregnancy. When in labour a member of the team will attend and stay with you for the duration until after delivery. This allows a trusting and close relationship to be built between yourself and the team which can help when in labour, enhancing your experience and improving outcomes. The team will then continue your care postnatally with extended postnatal care provided when required to support the transition into parenthood, with additional breastfeeding support and reassurance in any other areas of concern.
If you would like any additional information, or you would like to speak to the team, you can ask at your next midwife appointment for a referral to be completed. Alternatively you can also contact the antenatal clinic and ask for your details to be passed along to the team, who will get in touch with you as soon as possible to arrange a home visit.
Things to consider
- Consider certain safety issues if, for example, you have previously had a caesarean, if you baby is breech or you are having twins. You must take your own health into consideration as well.
- Some mums need to transfer to hospital if there is a complication. This is done calmly and safely and your midwife is equipped to deal with the situation. A study shows around 40 per cent of first time mums and around 10 per cent of second time mums expecting their second or subsequent baby need to be transferred.
- There is also a small chance you and your baby may need to go to hospital after the birth.
- You may encounter disapproval from family and friends about your decision to have a homebirth. Remember, it is your choice and the team are there to support your decision and ensure you have a happy pregnancy
- It’s normal to sometimes feel anxious at some point about not being in hospital during labour. The majority of mums say home is where they want to be. However, if you change your mind before or during labour we will get you to hospital
- A midwife or obstetrician may advise against a homebirth. You may then want to discuss your options with a supervisor of midwives.
High risk groups
Some mothers are ruled out of having a home birth because they fall into high risk groups which mean it is safer to have a hospital delivery. This includes high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, kidney and thyroid disease, first time pregnancies in over 35s and autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about homebirths, please call 01895 279472 and ask for the homebirth team. Remember, the team is here to help support your decision.
