The Au Naturale way!!

     

          Like I promised in my previous post I have dedicated a complete blog post to the infamous home births. I know what your thinking, at home births are crazy!!, but that isn't always the case. Many people form their opinion on home births based on false information and rumors. Hopefully by the end of this post you will be more clear on what a home birth consist of and why people might choose the au natural way versus delivering at a hospital.
         When we use the term "home births", it literally means when you decide to have your baby inside the home where you reside in. Home births are very common in the UK and Netherlands, but have extremely decreased in the United Stated and are often not advised by doctors. Only because they are not common doesn't mean that they don't happen. There are many differences between a hospital birth and a home birth. For starters, when giving birth at home, you do not have a doctor delivering your baby, but a midwife instead. A midwife is a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist in childbirth. This means that they are not doctors or nurses who are in the medical field, but instead are trained solely on births by other certified midwives. Delivering a baby requires a lot of knowledge and help; that is where a doula comes in. A midwife will usually have a doula present with her for extra assistance, but doulas are only trained to assist. Finding a reliable and trustworthy midwife that you feel comfortable with is crucial for your home birth to go smoothly. The best way to do this is by meeting with as many different midwives as you can as well as talking to women who have worked with a specific midwife that you might be considering. Some things to look for when choosing a midwife is to make sure that they are certified, experienced, and of course that they focus solely on your needs. My last piece of advice is to ask as many questions as possible. Do not be afraid of sounding naggy or unknowledgeable because choosing a home birth is a big commitment therefore you want to know what your going into.

Midwife assisting mother after the birth of her baby

          The thing that most women are concerned about is pain, and no, when having a home birth you do not have access to epidural or other medication. Their supplies are minimal and  use things that you can find inside your home like towels and a bathtub, but if you want to know more about what a typical midwife might bring with her click here. Some of the positive aspects that come along with choosing a home birth is just that; you actually get to be in the comfort of your own home. You are not restricted as to where you can and cannot go.  Another thing that women love is the fact that they can have whoever they want present at the birth. Hospitals usually have a limit as to how many people can be present during the birth, but that isn't the case with home births. Giving birth at home gives you and your partner the freedom to invite anybody you want to witness the birth of your child including other children if you have any. Giving birth in a hospital might give a sense of security to many women, but home births bring a lot of peace as well, it all depends on personal preference.

Family together after birth of baby

        It is necessary for you to talk to a doctor before deciding on a home birth. Like I mentioned before, home births do not administer pain medication and have limited resources if an emergency were to happen. If you have had medical problems or have had a c-section before then it is not the best choice for you or your baby. If you are at high risk for complications then the hospital will be a safer option for you which you can read about only previous post.  

           Whichever option you chose whether it be giving birth at home or inside a hospital there are risks involved in both. The best way to make a decision is to do a lot of research and talk to a physician as well as your partner. Hopefully this gave you some insight into home births and inspires you to consider other options. Thank you.   -Carina



Web Links: 
http://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-home-birth/

http://familymidwiferycare.ca/birth-place/homebirth/

http://www.midwife.org.nz/women-in-new-zealand/what-to-look-for-in-a-midwife

Picture Links:
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