To date, I have had four children.  The first in the hospital, the other three at home.  After experiencing both, I really prefer homebirthing. I support women regardless of their choice of birthplace; in fact, couples birthing in a hospital need a doula more than couples birthing at home.  Homebirth is not the right choice for every couple, but it is a viable alternative for any low risk mother.  As a DEM, I strongly suggest that any couple hoping to achieve a drug and intervention free birth consider homebirthing.  Here are a few of the advantages to having your baby at home.  Birth is perceived as a normal physiologic event, not a medical procedure or emergency. Complete control over birth environment (noise level, lighting, number of people present) which leads to increased feeling of safety and ability to cope with labor. Freedom to labor the way you want to.  Women feel much less inhibited in the privacy of their home. Increased bonding with baby, partner and other children. Formation of a relationship with midwife and doula which enhances the birth experience. Reduced chance of intervention by care provider. No temptation to take pain relieving drugs. No interruption of labor by a trip to the hospital. No routine medical procedures done to baby. Strong support of breastfeeding and immediate contact between mom and baby.

 

Here are some links to information about homebirth. Check out this thought provoking article by Marsden Wagner:  Welcoming Baby, or Not?  Are men, machines and hospitals really necessary for a healthy childbirth? Homebirth safety studies http://www.changesurfer.com/Hlth/homebirth.html 9 Tips for a Successful Home Birth Is Homebirth For You? 6 Myths About Homebirth Exposed http://www.traditionalmidwife.com/actmhomebirth.html Home Birth and Out-of-Hospital Birth: Is it Safe? Homebirth: What Are The Issues? Homebirth Complications Healing Through Homebirth Normal Birth: Do We Believe? Can We Remember? Not Among Strangers http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/homebirthchoice.asp     If you are planning a homebirth, this is the place to begin gathering your information.  Included in this area of the Midwifery Today site is information on the safety and risks of homebirth, who assists at a homebirth and how to find a midwife.