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Homebirth Support Group

The Homebirth Support Group is an informal support group for women and their partners who are interested in planning a homebirth.

Research over the last couple of decades has found that planned home birth is at least as safe as hospital birth for healthy women with normal pregnancies. In addition, home birthers are half as likely to have a caesarean section, half as likely to have an assisted delivery and have a lower risk of haemorrhage. Babies born at home are less likely to have birth injuries and less likely to need resuscitation. (Chamberlain, G, Wraight A, Crowley P. Home Births The report of the 1994 confidential enquiry. National Birthday Trust Fund. Parthenon Publishing)

Brighton and Hove has traditionally enjoyed a high homebirth rate, with up to 10% of babies being born at home. Nevertheless it can be daunting to plan a birth that is a bit different from “the crowd”.

We hold meetings once a month and all our hosts have had a homebirth. We share birth stories, top tips and do our best to answer all the burning questions that parents-to-be have. It is also a wonderful opportunity to meet other expectant parents planning a home birth. Meetings are free, although we do ask for a coin donation to the NCT.

We encourage new parents to return to the group after their baby has been born to share their birth story. We have a photo album so you can be encouraged and inspired by local babies. We’d love to add your baby’s photo to our collection.

We know and can put you in touch with women who have chosen to have a homebirth in circumstances such as:

Water birth
First time mothers
Older mothers (40+)
Previous hospital birth
Previous difficult birth
Previous caesarean(s)
Previous heavy bleeding after birth
Over 42 weeks gestation
Single mothers

We have a father’s contact for dads who would like a male perspective. Call 01273 508487.

We sell various publications and articles including:

Home Birth (an NCT publication) £2.50

Labour and Birth in Water (an NCT publication) £2.50

We have DVDs and videos of homebirths that we will lend.

You are very welcome to attend a meeting. Please call the host to confirm your attendance and location. Our next meetings are:

When	Time	Host	Contact Telephone Number
Sat 19/4/08	10am - 12	Suzy	01273 585406
Thurs 15/5/08	8 - 10pm	Hannah	01273 772118
Wed 18/6/08	8 - 10pm	Georgina	01273 558173

For further information on the home birth support group or for a chat about your plans for a home birth, please call 01273 558173 or 01273 585406 or 01273 772118.