Home Birth As A Viable and Economical Option

Mom gives birth in hospital parking lot... http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/349324.html

Woman gives birth in midair...
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012807278

Woman gives birth in taxi...
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F364DC945AFB8D9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

What do these stories tell us? That despite what many hospitals will tell you, it is possible to give birth without them. All of the women mentioned in the stories above gave birth under duress, and though these scenarios are not ideal they do demonstrate that life goes on even in extreme situations -- and making the prospect of home birth seem far easier than many in the medical community would have you believe.

In the United States, it's estimated that about 0.65% of women choose to deliver their babies at home each year. With four million babies born in the U.S. annually, that amounts to around 26,000 home births. While reasons for home birth vary, the decision to deliver at home is often made based on attitudes toward/previous bad experiences at hospitals, a desire to be surrounded by friends and family in a comfortable setting, or economic feasibility.

For healthy women unable to obtain maternity insurance, a home birth can be as much as 60% cheaper than hospital delivery. Most women probably think that they're always better off giving birth in a hospital setting, but several studies have found this belief to be inaccurate. In fact, at least one study has shown a lower infant mortality rate and an increased chance of normal vaginal delivery in home births as compared to hospital births, and another showed that women who gave birth at home experienced fewer difficulties. Overall, based on the studies conducted to-date, it can be said that that there is virtually no more risk involved in giving birth at home than in a hospital.

You can learn more about these figures here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_birth.

Naturally, these figures apply to healthy mothers who have had proper prenatal care, which can be expensive in its own right for uninsured pregnant women. In addition, it is advisable to hire a midwife for any planned home birth. Midwives aren't just labor coaches; they're trained to recognize warning signs that might necessitate an emergency hospital trip after all. In some states, it can be illegal to hire a midwife, and this is mentioned in the Wikipedia article referenced above. You can find a midwife in your area by visiting The American College of Nurse-Midwifes here: http://www.midwife.org/index.cfm.

If you're considering a home birth, be sure to properly evaluate all the risks and take the proper steps to plan for a successful home delivery:

· Don't forego prenatal care, as this can lead to tragic complications
· Make sure you're still in reasonable proximity to a hospital, just in case you or your baby do
require emergency medical care. While it appears that home delivery can be as safe as
hospital delivery, you simply cannot plan for everything
· Learn the pros and cons -- for instance, you will not have access to pain medications
· Set up your birthing room well in advance, and walk through the procedure with your
midwife and anyone who will also be in the room. Some women use tubs when delivering at
home; and ice chips and cool rags should be on hand to keep you comfortable
· Keep in mind that there are many conditions that make home birth a high-risk endeavor. If
you've ever had a c-section, or are diabetic, or have any other medical condition that might
affect delivery, you should not consider home birth as an option
· No matter what you do, make sure you've been fully evaluated for potential risks by a
certified medical professional. You do not want to jeopardize your life or your baby's, but if
you take the proper precautions and plan carefully home birth can be an economical option
and rewarding experience.

I am PRO MOM!!!
Aaron Bouren
Advocate Aaron