NI mum opens up on ‘calm and empowering’ home birth

“It was such a euphoric feeling”

A Northern Ireland couple has opened up about how they welcomed their baby boy into the world – in the comfort of their own living room.

With over 15 home births in the South Eastern Trust in the last year, Newtownards mum Claire Watty has shared her own experience as she welcomed son Charlie while surrounded by family – even watching Kung Fu Panda as her labour began.

Claire and her husband Mark have described the birth of Charlie as a “calm and empowering” experience, one that marked a special beginning for the family. Claire praised the compassionate care, advice and knowledge she received from the Trust’s dedicated Community Midwives, which led to Charlie’s special birth.

She said: “I was already nearly 36 weeks pregnant when I had an antenatal appointment with Midwifery Team Leader, Nicola Shephard, at Ards Hospital. I explained to Nicola that my biggest fear going into labour with this pregnancy was interventions, as I had had that with my first pregnancy and I did not want that again.

“Nicola asked if I would consider a home birth and she laid out what was involved and how it was done, it all seemed very straightforward. I came home and put it to my husband Mark, who is an Emergency Medical Technician, that I wanted to have a home birth and he was like, ‘ok’. We hired a birthing pool and Nicola and her team took care of everything else.”

Claire recalled how the night that Charlie was born, he came into the world ‘so calmly’.

“It was nice for us to be in our own environment, our own home. Mark had set the living room up with a lot of personal touches, such as our wedding photo and photographs of our daughter Lara.”

She added: “I had been in contact with Nicola and she arrived to check me and I was quite far along. I did not feel stressed or afraid at any time, the Community Midwives were here in the background and it was very much Mark and myself. It was not easy, but I did not feel scared or that this was a bad idea. I could feel what was happening, I was very present and I could feel that Charlie was moving down.”

Claire explained how much of an emotional experience it was as she and Mark were able to catch their son in the birthing pool and to find out that he was a “wee boy”.

“It was such a euphoric feeling, it was very much an ‘Oh my goodness, I just did that type of feeling, a ‘go me’ moment’”, Claire said.

“I felt very present after Charlie was born, he just came into the world so calmly. I was able to go upstairs and have a shower, it was just the three of us and we had our privacy in our home. We knew the Community Midwives were not going anywhere and we felt so supported, so grateful throughout Charlie’s birth.

“Looking at where the birthing pool was, it is hard to believe, as we have created a play area now for him and his big sister. I am really proud that we stuck to our guns and it was the way we wanted it to be.”

Mark said having Charlie born at home was “the best decision” they made and that he “felt more involved”.

“I can remember every aspect of it and it was very chilled out,” he added.

“The Community Midwives got involved when they needed to and gave myself and Claire space. I would advise anyone who is thinking of having a home birth to make sure they have enough hot water in their birthing pool.”

South Eastern Trust Community Midwifery Team Leader, Nicola Shephard spoke of the bond that she has built up with the Watty family.

Nicola added: “I met Claire at her antenatal appointment in the Community Maternity Hub in Ards Hospital. Claire was telling me how she had had quite a difficult experience with her first birth.

“I discussed with her about whether she would consider having her baby in her home and that we would be supporting her. I gave her lots of information to go home and discuss the idea with her Husband, Mark. The family then contacted me to come and visit them at their home and I gave Claire more information. They made the decision to go ahead and have the home birth.

“I would encourage anybody who is thinking of having a home birth to speak to their Community Midwife and have a good discussion. It is such a privilege to get to know women during their pregnancy, to come to their family home and then be present at their birth. It is part of what I love about my job.”

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