During the old times, there were no hospitals for delivering a baby. It was common for pregnant ladies to deliver at home. Despite the advent of hospitals, pregnant women continued delivering at home. This practice is still common in rural areas as well. Lack of education, resistance to change, and an unwillingness to come out of the comfort zone are some of the reasons for many considering a home birth over a hospital delivery.
Having said that, home birth is not limited to rural settings. Many expectant moms who looking for comfort, and peaceful delivery with a cozy atmosphere, choose home birth. This also allows them to have the birth of the baby in a familiar setting with the near and dear ones. This is not possible in a hospital delivery room due to protocols. Home birthing can be a smooth process with childbirth classes, proper planning and prior preparations.
Yet it is not totally devoid of risks. This article takes you in detail through the process of home birthing and its pros and cons so that you can make the right decision whether this mode of giving birth is right for you.
Is Giving Birth at Home Right For You?
Homebirth is a controversial topic with some groups strongly recommending it while others opposing this type of birthing vehemently. While much can be said on both sides, generally birthing centres and hospitals are the safest places to give birth due to constant medical attention and emergency facilities. Still, if you have a healthy and normal pregnancy and equip yourself in terms of knowledge and the right help, you may choose to give birth at home.
What Are The Benefits of Home Birth?
Homebirth can be a safe and rewarding experience for some but not for all. However, it is important to know the benefits of home birth to assess if that is a safe option for you. A doctor’s consultation is a must in this regard. Many pregnant women prefer home birth due the flexibility of choosing labour positions, and labour aids like a birth ball, music, birthing pool etc.
Some of the benefits of choosing home birth include
- Better control over the birthing experience.
- Increased chances of a vaginal birth.
- Familiar setting while giving birth.
- Avoidance of any unwanted medical interventions.
- Better support and personal care than in a hospital.
- Less cost
- Option to choose the labour position.
- Freedom to eat or drink at your convenience.
- Religious as well as cultural considerations.
- More chances of unlimited skin to skin time with the newborn post the delivery.
- Better chances to breastfeed.
- Freedom to take warm showers or baths.
- Ability to use candles or aromatherapy as needed.
What Are The Risks Associated With Home Birth?
Homebirth may be safe for pregnant women who do not have any complications. However, in the case of women who have health risks or pregnancy complications, home birthing can be a risky proposition. Let us take a look at some of the risks associated with home birth
- Homebirth is not safe for those diagnosed with acute hypertension, preeclampsia, chronic medical issues, diabetes, seizure disorder etc.
- Insurance does not cover the costs associated with the home birth.
- In case of any emergency, the pregnant woman may need to be immediately transferred to the hospital. Neonatal emergencies must also be considered. Both these may get delayed when considering home birth, increasing the chances of complications.
- Homebirth can be messy. You will need to be prepared with plastic sheets and clean towels and other essentials as required.
It is best to seek help from a healthcare professional of opting for a home birth. As they can outweigh all factors and assess if home birth is a safe option and even recommend a good hospital for any emergency. Setting up a birth plan in consultation with the healthcare professional.
Top 3 Tips to Have a Home Birth
When considering a home birth, it is vital to plan properly and take all necessary steps and precautions to ensure a smooth delivery. It os good to begin the process with a consultation with a OBGYN to ensure that homebirth is right for you. Here are some more tips you can keep in mind.
1. Choosing Trained Health Care Providers to Assist
You can choose a nurse, midwife, or certified midwife whose qualifications are in accordance with a practising obstetrician within a health system that is regulated. The midwife should have access to the doctors or health specialists at a hospital in collaboration.
2. Creating a Birth Plan
Creating a birth plan helps in coping with the pain. You may have many aspects to deal with such as figuring out the methods to cope with pain, whether labour should be done in a tub, or if the baby can be breastfed right after delivery. Your birthplan should cover all these aspects after discussion with your registered birthing expert or midwife who is assisting you with the delivery.
3. Preparing For a Hospital Transfer
It is important to discuss with the health care provider the indicators or the signs that can indicate the need to go to a hospital. The home and the other birthing centres or hospitals should not be too far, about 15 minutes’ drive with proper 24-hour maternity care. It is also important to have proper accessibility to commutation and pre-arrangement with the hospital for a transfer in case of any emergency if any.
What Should You Have in Your Home Birth Kit?
Giving birth at home needs proper preparation. A peaceful, private space is mandatory and having a birth kit at hand is very useful. A birth kit ideally has medical supplies and items like sterile gloves, plastic-backed pads, cord clamps, mesh underwear etc. The midwife usually carries sterilized and reusable stuff as a supplement though. It is good for every family to have a home birth kit with requisite supplies that is ready at the time of birth.
Basic supplies for a home birth kit include
- A bulb syringes
- Absorbent pads with a waterproof bottom
- A cord clamps
- A peri bottles
- Antiseptic soap
- Non-sterile and sterile gloves
- Lubricant
- Gauze pads
- Menstrual pads post-delivery with high absorbency
- Alcohol preparatory pads
- Extra items include:
- A waterproof mattress covering
- A basin for the placenta
- Fresh sheets
- Towels and washcloths
- Trash bags
- Clean receiving blankets
Do You Need a Pool For a Homebirth?
It is not mandatory to have a pool for a home birth, but if your tub isn’t big enough for labour, it is good to think about having a pool. Birthing pools available in the market are not too heavy on the pocket and they even come with removable liners. The best option to look for it if you are considering water birth at home.
Caring For Your Baby After a Home Birth
Health experts suggest the presence of an expert or a trained help during and post-delivery. His/her major responsibility is to take care of the newborn. This person should be skilled and should have acquired the necessary training and possess tools and equipment to take proper and adequate care of the new one. This person is also responsible to check the vitals of the baby and help with any breastfeeding issues as well.
Postpartum Care After a Home Birth
The postpartum stage denotes the care taken in the first 6 weeks of childbirth. This is a very crucial time for the mother and the baby as well. The medical treatment given at this time is a very important one. This care is usually given in the first six weeks, but it can go far as 4-6 months in case of emotional and physical issues and complications if any. This is the time when adequate care should be taken so that excellent health can be maintained post the birth of the baby.
Many areas of the body need good care; external, internal, and mental. External care refers to the changes in the body shape, breastfeeding issues etc. Internal care consists of body aches, pain, cramps, constipation, physical fatigue, or any other health issues. While mental care means hormonal fluctuations, anxiety, low self-esteem, postpartum depression etc.
Midwives are well-acquainted to offer newborn care and lactation support as well as postpartum care. The midwife will visit once in the first week, post that twice weekly to ensure that the mother and the baby are fine. The visits can be increased depending on the needs of the mother and the baby. In case she feels, something is not right, she can refer you for extra care.
Home birthing may be the right option for you if you are expecting a normal delivery and do not have any major health complications. when considering a home birth, you will need to consider multiple factors, plan well in advance, and also plan for any unforeseen circumstances. You can always consult a registered health practitioner such as a gynaecologist to ensure that home birthing is the best option for you.
FAQ’s
1. Does Water Immersion in The First stage of Labour Affect Birth?
Immersing in water during the first stage of labour leads to few women who end up having an epidural but has a negligible difference in the number of women who have an instrumental, vaginal birth.
2. Is a Planned Home Birth Right For You?
A planned home birth is an experience of its own, can be memorable and rewarding as well. Whether planned home birth is right for you depends on various factors such as your health during pregnancy, availability of experienced midwives etc. It is very crucial to first weigh its advantages and limitations, and then plan to keep in mind the risks that are associated with the same.
3. Why do Women Choose Planned Home Births?
Women may choose planned home births to have a comfortable birthing experience in the confines of their home and to have total control over the birthing experience. The experience of choosing planned home births is a different one than the hospital one. The health care provider or the midwife will monitor the body vitals like blood, pressure, pulse, the temperature at different periods than doing it continuously.
