To be eligible for the homebirth service you need to:
- be aged between the ages of 18 and 40 years
- live within the homebirth catchment area
- have current ambulance cover, and
- live in a safe working environment for birthing that has:
- adequate lighting
- electricity
- access to clean hot water
- pets that can be secured out of the birthing area
- easy access to the home for emergency vehicles
- parking availability for two midwives, and
- reliable phone access at all times.
- have one or more birth supporters from family/friends who:
- support your decision to have a homebirth
- are available to be present throughout your labour, the birth and the recovery period to provide support to you and your baby, and
- are available to care for your other children if necessary.
- have had at least one, and not more than four, previous healthy pregnancies and uncomplicated births and recovery periods
- be healthy and have a Body Mass Index no greater than 35 at the 36 week pregnancy check
- have regular antenatal care with a health professional
- have a current uncomplicated pregnancy progressing normally, and be less than 8 months pregnant at the time of enrolling in the trial
- attend a 'suitability for homebirth assessment' appointment with your midwife on or before the 36th completed week of this pregnancy
- be more than 37 and not more than 42 weeks pregnant at the time labour begins
- have a single pregnancy with the baby in a head down position before labour starts
- wish to labour naturally and:
- plan to use only natural remedies for pain relief during labour. Pain relief medications including epidural and nitrous oxide will not be offered.
- understand that you will be able to labour in water if you wish i.e. a bath, but the service does not offer water birth (the baby being born under water).
- agree to receiving medication via an injection to assist with the delivery of the placenta once you have given birth.
Page last updated on: 22 Jan 2021