Home Births: How to Ensure the Safety of You and Your Baby

Caroline Lovell, an activist for home births, died Jan. 23, 2012, from a cardiac arrest suffered during the home birth of her second child. Home births are becoming increasingly popular, but there has always been a question as to the safety of them; a question that, with Caroline’s death, is also growing in awareness. Why have home births been increasing in popularity and are the a safe alternative to hospitalization?

Some experts believe that the rise in home births may be due to the rise in Cesarean sections and unnecessary inductions in today’s hospitals. Others have suggested that it may be due to the expense of a hospital birth that more mothers are turning to home births. Of course, comfort and privacy are always factors to consider.

Home births were quite natural a century ago, and still are among certain groups such as the Amish. For thousands of years, women have been giving birth in their own homes. The idea of giving birth in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses is a relatively new concept by comparison. However, the advances in medicine and hospitalizations for mothers in labor have given life to some infants who may not have otherwise survived. Keeping that in mind, home births are quite safe for low-risk pregnancies. In fact, some may argue that a home birth is safer than hospitalization because it allows the mother’s body to dictate the process, resulting in fewer pre-term deliveries.

The American Pregnancy Association suggests that if you are diabetic, have toxemia or high blood pressure, or are at risk for pre-term labor, you should not plan for a home birth. If you do not have any of these potential risks and opt for a home delivery, you can expect your midwife to come prepared. An efficient midwife attending a home birth will bring oxygen, IV fluids, sterile equipment, fetoscopes, medication to slow or stop a possible hemorrhage, homeopathic remedies, and tools to suture any tears. If there are any medical emergencies during home birth, you will likely be transferred to the nearest hospital. In first time mothers, about 40% may need to be transferred to a hospital, but in subsequent pregnancies only about 10 percent of mother’s needed hospitalization, according to the Netherlands Institute of Primary Health Care.

Generally, for the average low-risk pregnancy, a home birth is a perfectly acceptable alternative to hospitalization, particularly if it is not your first pregnancy. If you are interested in a home birth, you should see an obstetrician as well as your midwife during your pregnancy to ensure that you and your baby are healthy, and discuss with them the option of delivering at home. If you or your baby show any signs of health problems, it is not recommended that you deliver at home.


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