Why do families choose home birth?
A woman might choose to have her baby at her home for a variety of reasons. For example, some women might choose home birth after being disappointed or upset with the hospital birth of a previous child. Other women might choose home birth because they want to give birth without medication, and they might feel like that option is more doable outside of a hospital setting, where an epidural, or an anesthesia generally delivered through shots in or around a person’s spine, are readily available. Some women might feel safer having their babies at home than in a hospital. Also, some families might be more comfortable with planned home births for cultural or religious reasons.
When discussing whether to have a planned home birth, it’s important for families to research midwives or physicians they would like to use, interviewing prospective midwives to ensure they are comfortable with their levels of experience and practices. Also, it’s important to have a birth plan in place to ensure that the family knows what will happen in case of emergency.
What medical professionals are present during home birth?
Most women who give birth at home use a midwife that they work with throughout their pregnancy. Some women might also have a birth doula, who offers emotional support and physical comfort, and also helps with communication among family and medical professionals, among other services. A small number of women have unassisted home births, but that’s not recommended by most medical professionals.
In Oklahoma, “direct-entry” midwives aren’t licensed. These are midwives who are independent practitioners educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, a college, or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing.
Meanwhile, certified nurse-midwives are licensed as advanced practice registered nurses through the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. These are midwives who are certified nurses and midwives. There are also certified midwives, certified through the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and certified professional midwives, certified by the North American Registry of Midwives.
What happens during home birth?
When a woman thinks she is in the beginning stages of labor, her midwife or other medical practitioner will arrive and generally stay for at least a few hours after the baby is born. A midwife might have a support person who monitors the baby’s health.
If a mother develops complications or her baby shows signs of distress, the health care provider likely will have her transported to a hospital.
What are the risks of complications?
Home birth isn’t for every woman. Generally, it’s recommended only for low-risk pregnancies, women who don’t have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and who aren’t at a high risk of complications. Also, women who are less than 37 weeks or more than 41 weeks pregnant sometimes are not recommended for home births.
Much debate exists among medical professionals throughout the birth community about whether home birth is less safe than hospital birth. Some birthing advocates argue that a growing body of research shows that home birth for low-risk women who use a skilled midwife isn’t less safe than hospital birth. However, some medical professionals argue there hasn’t been an adequate randomized clinical trial to prove these claims. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not support home birth, citing “safety concerns and lack of rigorous scientific study.” The organization quotes a study that reported that babies born at home were more likely not to survive. However, that study has been met with criticism, with some arguing it used flawed data, and led to more debate among medical practitioners.
What is the cost?
The cost of a home birth and the services provided during pregnancy from a midwife will range. Some midwives will charge from $2,500 to $4,000, while others ask families to pay what they can. In a hospital or birthing center setting, it would cost between $10,000 to $20,000. Some insurance companies cover midwives, but it ranges, depending on the type of midwife and also your policy.
Sources: Dawn Karlin, a certified nurse midwife at Moments of Bliss Midwifery Services; Elizabeth Armstrong, an associate professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University, “Home Birth Matters—For All Women,” published in The Journal of Perinatal Education; the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; the Mayo Clinic; Medscape; DONA International; Midwives Alliance of North America; and Medline Plus.
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