Home Births - A Preferred Option For Many Low Risk Pregnant Women

As the term suggests, home births are the events where the delivery of the child takes place outside the birthing center or the hospital setting – usually the home of the pregnant woman. In general, this kind of delivery is attended by a midwife or some other medical professionals. The method has becoming increasingly popular in the United States, but some states like New York do not permit this kind of planned delivery.

The Presence Of The Midwife

Women who plan for homebirth may have to go through a situation where the delivery of the baby may take place unassisted. Sometimes, the labor progresses rapidly and it does not leave enough time for the midwife to arrive at the mother’s home in time. However, the midwife may come and give immediate postnatal care. There can also be occasions where the baby may have to be delivered unassisted.

How Popular Is The Method

Over the twentieth century, the popularity of home births declined because of the business-like development of hospitals supervised by obstetricians. However, in many places, this type of child delivery is still very popular. For example, in Denmark, the percentage of such events is 80% where the birth of the baby takes place in freestanding birth centers run by midwives or at home. The percentage of this type of child delivery cases is 30% in the Netherlands. Its popularity is also increasing in the United Kingdom, as more and more women now prefer to give birth to their baby at home and not at a hospital. Many women feel very uncomfortable at hospitals. However, if such delivery cases have been most popular in a place, it is Wales.

The Policy Statements

However, when it comes to the United State of America, it is very important for you to understand that there are some policy statements regarding the practice of home births for low risk pregnant women. These statements are followed by both the American Public Health Association as well as the American College of Nurse Midwives. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' still recommend a hospital setting in comparison to home for childbirth. Even private hospitals are not in favor of the childbirth to take place at home. Although, this may be because, childbirth is one of the most important sources of revenue for hospitals.

Is It Safe?

Whether childbirth at homes is safe or not depends upon the health and medical condition of the pregnant woman. When it comes to low-risk pregnancies, the home births are considered to be as safe as hospital births. At home births delivery also prevent risky medical interventions, such as episiotomies and administration of pain medication, forceps or ventouse deliveries, and cesarean sections.