risks of home birth?

What to Know About Home Birth
In this Article

Why Do People Have Home Births? Home Birth Risks Are Midwives Licensed Professionals? What Is a Doula? Who Is a Good Candidate For a Home Birth?

Until the 1700s, home birth was the only option for those giving birth. Friends and family members would help with the birth, along with a midwife. In the late 1700s, doctors began to help with the birthing process, because some people felt they needed the medical knowledge to make birth safer.‌

Then, in the early 1900s, hospital births became more popular. Hospitals offered a less painful birth with anesthesia. By 1935, just 15% of births were done at home with a midwife.‌

Now, just over 1.5% of births in the US are done out of hospitals, either at home or at a birthing center.
Why Do People Have Home Births?

There are many reasons you might consider a home birth. including:

Giving birth in a familiar and comfortable environment
A desire to avoid medical interventions
Staying faithful to your religious and cultural practices
Having your family and friends present at the birth
Having more control over the birth
Wanting to save money
Lacking adequate transportation

Home Birth Risks

At a home birth, there are not as many medical interventions immediately available in case of emergency. If you plan to have a home birth, you may have to quickly adjust your plan if the unexpected happens. The risks of a home birth include:

Greater risk of death. The rate of infant mortality for home births is 1-2 out of 1,000 which is at least twice as high as hospital births.
Greater risk of neurological damage andseizures during birth. The rate of neurologic dysfunction for home births is 0.4-0.6 out of 1,000 births, which is three times as high as hospital births.‌

To mitigate these risks during home birth, make sure to work with a properly trained and licensed midwife. You should also create a backup birth plan prior to going into labor, in case you end up going to the hospital.
Are Midwives Licensed Professionals?

Many midwives are nurse-midwives. This means they are officially-registered nurses with advanced degrees in midwifery.

In some states, nurse-midwives can only work under the supervision of a doctor. In other states, licensed or certified midwives, who are not registered nurses but have extensive midwife training, are allowed to help with at-home births.

In addition to attending home births, many nurse-midwives, and some licensed midwives, practice in doctor | s offices or other medical settings.
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What Is a Doula?

A doula is someone who is there to provide physical and emotional support to the mother before, during, and after the birthing process. During labor, they may do things like suggest positions for labor, conduct the mother | s breathing exercises, and support everyone involved in the birth.‌

A doula is usually available to you in the months before and after labor to answer any questions you may have and offer support. There are also postpartum doulas who support you after you give birth. They help with breastfeeding, cooking, and cleaning while you are recovering and bonding with your baby.
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Home Birth?

You are a good candidate for a home birth if:

You have a low-risk pregnancy.
You are generally in good health.
You are only pregnant with one baby, not twins or triplets.
Your baby has gotten into the proper head-first birthing position and is not in the breech position.
You have never had a c-section before.
You are not at risk for early labor and have never experienced a premature birth.
You do not have pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure.
Your partner supports your desire to have a home birth.
You understand and accept that your plan may have to change. 40% of first-time parents need to go to the hospital during a home birth.‌

If you don | t meet these conditions, or you | re unsure, talk to your obstetrician before making your decision.