Homebirth
I support women regardless of their choice of birthplace; in fact, couples birthing in a hospital need an advocate 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.
The largest single American study of planned homebirths with a trained attendant has been published!
Here are some links to information about homebirth.
- The Safety of Home Birth Studies
- Is Homebirth for You?
- The Homebirth Choice *
- Healing Through Homebirth
- Homebirth: What Are the Issues?
- Normal Birth: Do We Believe? Can We Remember?
- Not Among Strangers
- Welcoming Baby, or Not?
- 9 Tips for a Successful Home Birth
- Home Birth and Out-of-Hospital Birth: Is it Safe?
- Homebirth: As Safe As it Gets