Less than one percent of women in the US give birth at home. It’s not an option for everyone; only women having low risk pregnancies will be given the go ahead to have a home birth. Some women hate the thought of giving birth at home, but if you are curious about this option, here are five reasons to consider a home birth:
- You’ll feel completely at home – this may sound obvious, but it’s important to be relaxed and calm during pregnancy. Some women find the car journey to the hospital stressful, and feel out of their comfort zone when confronted with the bright lights on the busy delivery ward. Of course, some women feel much more at ease in a hospital setting than they would at home. If you think staying at home would help to keep you relaxed and focused during the birth, you may want to consider a homebirth.
- It’s not a medical setting – if you’re worried about interventions such as episiotomies, cesarean sections and forceps, you might find that taking yourself out of a medical setting puts you at ease. Of course, birth is unpredictable and some women do get transferred into hospital during a planned home birth because they require medical assistance. However, research has found that women who have home births are less likely to have interventions.
- You can share the experience – most delivery wards will have a limit on the number of people you can have present at the birth. At your own home, you get to lay down the law about visitors. If you would like to have your existing children present to welcome their new sibling, or your parents as well as your partner, you may prefer to give birth at home. That way, you’ll have room to accommodate everyone.
- You have more room to stay active – if you want to stay active during labour, and try a few different positions to help the baby move down the birth canal, you may prefer birthing at home. You’ll have the room to move about, as well as furniture to use to help you into position. You can hire birthing pools, jump in the bath, lean from doors, and squat over beds. You can take a walk round the garden, walk sideways up and downstairs, and try bellydancing to help your baby get into position.
- You’ll be home when it’s over – once it’s all over, you can immerse yourself in a lovely warm bath in the comfort of your own home. Then it’s just a few short steps and you’ll be snuggled up in your own bed. No hospital gowns, IVs or strangers in sight.
If you would like to have a home birth, speak to your healthcare provider at your next appointment. Not all women are suitable candidates to give birth at home, but your healthcare provider is best placed to advise you on this.
Are you considering a home birth?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.
