Birth & More | Birth Options
Giving Birth Naturally: Home Birth
There’s no place like home
Home birth for a new generation
As far as natural birth goes, you can’t get more authentic than home birth. After all, women have been bringing their babies into the world within the comforting confines of their own homes since the dawn of time.
With the advance of medicine and technology, it is almost an automatic choice these days to deliver a baby in a hospital setting. After all, everyone else does it… right? With that said, home birth has regained popularity as new-generation, low-risk women rediscover the joys of completely natural, grassroots-style childbirth.
There’s no place like home
What to expect when you’re having your baby at home
The vast majority of doctors and ob-gyns won’t consider a home delivery, both in terms of viewpoint and logistics, so a midwife is your best bet if you’re interested in a home birth.
Your midwife will guide you through the various stages of your pregnancy, preparing you all the way along for what comes next and what your birthing options are. Her role in a home birth is much the same as it would be in a conventional birth, but the home lends itself to a much more intimate and relaxed setting.
Midwifery has not always been given the credit that it’s due, but in the 21st century, society has thankfully started to recognise the value of these experienced, skilled, empathetic and highly knowledgeable childbirth mavens.
Far from being inferior to obstetricians, midwives are qualified nurses who have furthered their studies by attaining a diploma in midwifery and are trained to handle even the most harrowing of emergency situations. You can rest assured that your midwife will be able to identify any possible warning signs and will call for emergency assistance should it be required.
Furthermore, they are likely to have delivered just as many – if not more – bouncy babies than the average ob-gyn. So when it comes to childbirth, you (and your newborn) couldn’t be in safer hands.
East, West, Home is Best
The many advantages of home birth
Statistics show that the majority of women who have had a planned home birth have described it at as a positive experience, and would choose to go the same route for subsequent births. Here’s why:
Comfort
Giving birth in your own home can provide comfort on both physical and emotional levels. Going through this life-changing experience in a cold, sterile, noisy hospital room just cannot compare to having your own pillows, teacups, friends, aromatherapy candles or television nearby.
Being in a familiar, private setting can enhance the overall experience and make you much more positive and relaxed. These happy vibes will prompt the release of the feel-good, pain-relieving hormones known as endorphins as well as the hormone oxytocin, which is the hormone responsible for the triggering of labour.
Control
Modern women aren’t pushovers on any other day, so why should that be any different during the Big Push? Hospitals do have a certain ‘our way or the highway’ vibe about them and can render an otherwise sassy, strong-willed woman suddenly subservient. The beauty of the home birth is that the mom in question can have a Crème Soda float if and when she likes, or take a stroll around the garden, read a magazine, or even watch a Chuck Norris DVD, if it will help! This freedom to do it your way will again release all those helpful hormones and get that sweet little baby homeward bound in no time at all.
Lower incidence of intervention
Studies show that home births result in fewer complications and less intervention such as labour induction, shaving and episiotomies. Apprehension caused by birthing in an intimidating hospital setting can cause the release of adrenaline, which in turn inhibits the above hormones, endorphins and oxytocin. When this happens, hospital staff will generally administer labour-inducing drugs, which can cause foetal distress, leading to a cycle of otherwise unnecessary interventions. Another cause of intervention is that, due to the frantic nature of a hospital, medical professionals overseeing the labour will often offer interventions as a matter of efficiency. In a home birth, neither of these scenarios is relevant, and labour is allowed to progress the way nature intended.
Less risk of complications
Even better news is that the lower incidence of intervention results in a far lower risk of complications such as tearing, post-partum haemmorhage and postnatal depression. Babies who are born in la casa are less colicky and have fewer sleeping and feeding problems too. Bonus!
As always, our advice is to talk things through with your partner, research the risks and benefits and discuss your options with your doctor or midwife. Wishing you the very best for the happiest of births!
REFERENCES
www.thinkbaby.co.uk
www.pregnancy-info.net
www.gynob.com
www.midwiferytoday.com
www.babyexpert.com
www.childbirthsolutions.com
www.homebirth.org.uk