Calling all ED women considering home birth

[connorsc]

Hello all,

I'm a social researcher and documentary photographer interested in London women pursuing home birth - I'm also a newly married woman who is considering home birth for herself when we try for children over the next couple of years.

I didn't know much about home birth before I came to London, and over the last year or so I've been reading up a lot on successful birth stories, pros and cons of home versus medical birth, and women's decision paths in putting together birth plans and planning for labor. As some of you know, although there are a lot of good resources out there, it can be a bit of a maze finding good information and getting a sense of your options.

It seems to me that a lot of us are out there doing the same googling and research, but there are few collected compilations of birth stories to help educate, scare the pants off you, inspire you, etc. I'm now at the beginning stages of putting together a book of home birth stories to be used as a resource for women considering this option, focusing primarily on women from London - and I'd love to include some East Dulwich members.

Anyone who is CONSIDERING, PLANNING, or HAS HAD A HOME BIRTH: willing to meet up for a cup of coffee and talk for a bit about your experience? Ideally I'd love to meet a few people who are willing to be photographed as well. If there's anyone up for meeting up at a few different times during your pregnancy - to get a sense of how your expectations, anxieties, hopes and dreams change as you go through the process - I'd be very happy to meet more than once. I hope that the photos and thoughts that come out of those meetings might provide a great record of your pregnancy/birth experience!

If you might be interested in meeting, call or PM any time: 079 5603 2847

Cate

[connorsc]

Hi ladies!

I've gotten four responses so far - thank you to all of you! - but am very eager for others as well. It's important to me to cover the full spectrum of experiences and I'd love to hear from any and all of you.

Cate

[Fi from West Dulwich]

hello, what about the aborted home birth experience? any relevance? if so happy to talk to you!

[bbmummy]

Hi Cate,

I had a home birth in April, but i live in Nunhead - does that count? Anywhere, i am happy to meet / talk to you about it. As it happens, 2 other people on my road also had home births and someone has just moved into the road who is pregnant and also considering a home birth! I can't guarantee they'd be interested, but i can ask if you like?

Catherine

[connorsc]

Thanks to all of you for all the contact, I will be in touch next week as I sort out all of the responses!

Fi from West Dulwich - yes, I'd absolutely be interested in speaking to you. I'm interested in the full range of home-birth experiences, including women who changed their minds prior to due date or who were transferred to hospital prior to or during labor.

Catherine - yes, Nunhead counts! I'm not picky about the area at all, I just posted in East Dulwich as I'm local and knew there would likely be interested women. I'd love to speak to your neighbors as well, particularly the woman who is currently pregnant and considering HB - please do pass on my details!

Thank you everyone, how gratifying to know that there are many people out there interested in speaking. As I expected, an outpouring of stories!

If you haven't gotten in touch but would still like to share, please do. Again, I'm trying to get a sense of the full spectrum so will take as many responses as I can get!

All best and take care,

Caitlin

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Caitlin,

Very happy to talk to you about my 2 very positive home births. You can call me to arrange at time to chat on 07977 130318.

Amanda

[bumpy]

Had a home birth in January, happy to chat