Surprised!
I found that in my area too, I was going to bring it up at the booking in but the midwife suggested it before I got the chance. There's posters up about it everywhere too, when I saw the midwife this week and said I was unsure she was really encouraging. They seem to really be pushing for more homebirths!
im 38+3,so since booking in ive mentioned it,my mw team have been great,so glad they arnt ones for saying they are short staffed or u cant have it for this reason or that reason,goodluck with ur homebirth hun xx
My MW has also been extremely supportive and despite three consultants telling me I need either a section or at least a hospital birth, we are going ahead with a homebirth. I had one with my first too, in 2004. She was born in Brighton, which had the highest rate of HBs in the country at the time (9% of all babies were born at home). I know that in many areas they will not even consider it for a first, but my MW did not even bat an eyelid! Then we moved to Bristol and when I registered at the new GP, they gave me a booklet about the surgery which actually stated that they "actively encourage all women to use the hospital" when they give birth! Glad I managed to squeeze in a move to yet another part of the country before falling pg again!
My midwife also suggested a home water birth to me, before I had even thought about it. This was after she knew I was over weight, had spd and the baby had a problem with the kidneys being in the wrong place. Indeed my consultant also said there is no medical reason for me to have the baby in hospital!
Maybe the tide is changing....... in some places at least..........my SIL is a student midwife in Edinburgh and she says you still have to fight like mad to get one up there.
That's great news. My mw was really supportive too when i mentioned it to her at my booking in appointment. It's nice to know we don't have a fight on our hands!
awwww huni congrats its nice to have people on your side for once isnt it well good luck xx