Home Birth
Who would be suitable for home birth?
If you are healthy, and have a low risk pregnancy, you are eligible for the Home Birth Service. This Home Birth Service is a safe option, even with your first pregnancy. Plenty of moms worry that they may not make it in time to the hospital, this service is ideal, and very reassuring, in this situation.
Some moms may be unsure if they want to birth at home or in hospital, but would like the support of their personal midwife during labour and birth, and this is fine. They can choose at any time, where they wish to birth, and I will support them, once they are already in my care.
There are certainly many benefits to labouring at home. Your surroundings feel safe to you, you are undisturbed as you get in to the flow of your own labour. You may use a birth pool, which also has massive benefits. The duration of labour may be shorter, pain levels dramatically reduced, oxygen levels increased, freedom of mobility in water, endorphin levels increase, and there is a reduced likelihood of perineal trauma.
You will have continuity of care with me, and I can be contacted at any time during pregnancy for questions, advice and guidance. Scans and blood tests are all done as standard. If at any stage during the pregnancy or birth, you require hospital care, either due to health reasons or choice, I will still assist you, and after the baby is born, I will continue to care for you for two weeks at home.
Once your application has been approved, you can expect shared care between myself and your GP throughout your pregnancy and postnatally.
From 37 weeks I will be on-call 24/7 for your birth. I will provide a second midwife to assist at the birth. The ambulance service facilitates any transfers to hospital, if necessary, and all route details are registered and approved at 36 weeks.
Breastfeeding rates are more than doubled, because of the extra 2 weeks postpartum care, that I can provide, with this service. Everything possible is done under my care so that you and your baby can thrive during this time.
If you are pregnant and would like to know more about joining the Home Birth Service you can contact me.
This home birth service is fully funded by HSE.
“I recently gave birth for the first time and opted to have a home birth in Crosshaven Co. Cork, using the services of self-employed community midwife Mary Cronin. I cannot speak highly enough of the support that myself and my partner received during the pregnancy, labour and birth of our daughter, and for the first couple of weeks after delivery.The continuity of care that self-employed community midwives provide from early pregnancy right through to after the baby is born is truly superb, especially for new parents who can be overwhelmed by what they read in books and on the Internet and the often conflicting advice received from well-intentioned family and friends.”- Patrice, Crosshaven
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