juno midwives

Sophie’s Mum was born at home in 1965. Here, she interviews her Grandma to learn more about her experience of birthing at home almost 60 years ago, with some observations on the difference between her previous hospital birth and her homebirth.

Sophie’s Grandma, holding her Mum, 1965

When and where did you have your homebirth?

12 October 1965, at home in Witney, Oxfordshire.

Were you encouraged to have a homebirth or was it something you knew you wanted?

Back then, it was the norm to have your first baby in the hospital and to have subsequent babies at home and I felt it would be much nicer.

Were you ever worried that it wasn’t the ‘safe’ option?

Initially I was worried about the baby being born at home, but I certainly wasn’t worried that it wasn’t the ‘safe’ option. I was very disappointed when I couldn’t have my third baby at home because of my placental position and we lived in a rural village, so there were concerns about an ambulance being able to get to me.

Can you describe what happened on the day you gave birth?

I woke early and then my waters broke. I phoned my midwife who came round and examined me. She said that as it was 10 days early she didn’t think I would be giving birth that day and I’d be having a dry birth, which could happen. Also it was an antenatal clinic that afternoon and she hoped nothing would happen then! I knew as the day went on that the baby would be born that day.

I remember feeling very relaxed and preparing loads of vegetables for a casserole we were having that evening. I started having mild contractions and the breathing exercises helped enormously. In the afternoon when the contractions became stronger and I felt I needed to go upstairs to lie down, my husband phoned the midwife who said she’d be there asap. The midwife said to try and wait for her.

Then everything happened very quickly and the baby’s head was born just as the midwife arrived and then the rest of her. This was about 1630. The placenta came about 20 minutes later and I pushed it out. I didn’t need any stitches and I had no painkillers.

The midwife weighed the baby in a net which she held up and then the doctor arrived to check everything was ok. The doctor wasn’t there for very long – he checked the baby over and then asked me some questions.

Was there a difference in how you felt afterwards when you compare your first hospital birth and then your second homebirth?

I felt much calmer after the homebirth and I was able to breastfeed easily, with some help from my mother. I loved breastfeeding! I breastfed for about 4 or 5 months and it made me feel so close to the baby. In the hospital, the baby was taken to the nursery overnight so you could sleep and then brought to you during the day when it needed to be fed. I got mastitis the first time and had to stop breastfeeding. Being at home was lovely because the baby was with you all the time.

Did you have the same midwife for your antenatal, birth and postnatal care?

I did know my midwife beforehand and she did visit me afterwards for about a week to 10 days. I had my antenatal appointments with her and then she visited me everyday for about a week after the baby was born. She was an older lady in her fifties and dedicated to her job. I got on with her well, but she was quite old school. Everybody who had her as a midwife liked her and you felt you could trust her. She was kind.

What was the best thing for you about giving birth at home?

Having my second baby at home was a truly wonderful experience, nobody fussing and no rules and regulations. With my first experience in hospital I remember my legs being in stirrups and it felt very undignified. It felt very efficient in the hospital, everybody was just getting on with the job. My birth experience at home was so different to my hospital birth experience – my homebirth experience was very gentle. I had learnt breathing techniques from my midwife at an antenatal class, which helped so much.

Everyone’s birth story is unique to them. Sharing experiences can inspire, educate & inform – or just give you all the feels! There’s no ‘right’ way to birth – what matters if you have choices and are supported in those choices. We fundamentally respect that women and birthing people are the ultimate decision makers in their care – if we sound like the midwives for you, get in touch to book a free, initial consultation.