A home birth means that you will be giving birth at home instead of a hospital or birthing center. However, this doesn’t change the fact that you’ll still need the help of someone experienced and qualified during labor and delivery such as a certified nurse or a certified midwife. Many women say that having a home birth was a rewarding experience for them. But still, before deciding, you should consider the pros and cons of home birth. You should plan ahead, consider the risks by talking to your doctor first and learn about potential complications during labor and delivery.
PRO: Familiarity
Being in a familiar surrounding like your home will definitely make you feel more relaxed and more comfortable. It will raise your confidence during labor and eventually make you feel more in control. Coping with stress will be easier in your home and these will all contribute to easier labor and delivery. If you have other children and you don’t want to leave them, they will be by your side if they are comfortable with sharing this experience with you. It is the same with your husband. Most women say that having family members by their side made everything much easier for them.
PRO: Low intervention
Many women say that your chances of a fully natural birth are usually higher with home birth. First of all, you don't have to interrupt your labor to go to a hospital. Secondly, there is lower medical intervention like having your waters broken, labor augmentation, labor induction, prepping with shaving, electronic fetal monitoring, episiotomies, forceps, ventouse, and medication. This is an important factor because most experiences show that once the medical intervention is initiated in a labor it’s more likely that doctors have to intervene further. Most women say that undergoing medical interventions that they don’t prefer made their birthing experience not very pleasant.
PRO: Lower Cost
Having a baby is already expensive and it is obvious that the highest bills almost always come from the hospital. While homebirth practice is still highly controversial in the United States as it is tied to higher infant death rates, the number of women giving birth at home is increasing daily especially because it may be a safe and cheaper option for women who already have children. It is a known factor that a planned birth in an obstetric unit is the most expensive option for mothers who already have children. Also, others argue that home births may reduce healthcare costs for pregnant couples.
PRO: One-to-one care from a midwife
In a straightforward pregnancy, a great deal of evidence shows that it’s as safe to opt for a home birth as to have a hospital delivery. Throughout your labor, your midwife will take care of you and a second midwife will arrive to give you extra support towards the end of labor.
Certified midwives are trained in resuscitation. They carry oxygen to administer to the mum or baby in an emergency as well as carrying drugs that will help control any excessive bleeding that may follow the birth. Having one-to-one care from a midwife you have also connected emotionally with will definitely ease your birthing experience.
PRO: Less risk of infections
Studies show that the less you stay in a hospital the less likely you get infected. While this is a common truth for an average healthy person, it is even more important to a mom-to-be. Women giving birth to their children in their homes have a low risk of outside exposure to viruses or bacteria, therefore decreasing the risk of a possible infection. This is valid for the baby, too. Unless he or she has a problem that should be addressed immediately, the sooner the baby is taken home, the better. Of course, there are viruses and bacteria present in our homes, too, but they are nothing like the ones in hospitals.
CON: Insurance
If you already have insurance, make sure that you check your policy before you decide how to give birth. Most insurance policies do not cover homebirth expenses and it is possible that your policy is one of them. It is a known factor that maternity coverage itself is way too complicated compared to other areas of the insurance policy. Some insurance companies consider at-home births "medically inappropriate" and don’t even pay for the postpartum complications that should be addressed in a hospital. There are also some insurance companies that pay for home births given the fact that there is a certified midwife.
CON: Cleaning up
There are paid staff in hospitals who will clean away the mess after birth, but this won’t be the case at home. First, decide on the place you would like to give birth to and make sure that furnishings and floor coverings are protected from the mess. Try to collect old towels, sheets, and coverings in advance so that you can protect your belongings. If you plan to give birth in the pool, it will be easier for you to get rid of the mess as it will be contained in the birthing pool. Make sure you have enough clothes and cleaning supplies at your home.
CON: Hospital Transfer
There is a possibility that you might need to be transported to the hospital. Prolonged labor without progress or the bag of waters broken for a long time is some of the most common reasons why women get transferred to hospitals during home births. It is a misconception that all transfers are emergency transfers. Therefore, it is important to have a transfer plan in advance; such as which hospital to pick, which road to take, and of course the presence of a vehicle. It is also a good idea to be aligned with your doctor as much as possible if you want him or her when you get to the hospital.
CON: Postpartum Care
Postpartum care is as important as the delivery itself and it includes both the baby and the mother. In-home births, you and your partner will be responsible for your baby’s vitals throughout the day and night, postpartum. You will also need to arrange someone who will take care of you after the delivery. Most women get on their feet pretty fast, especially after vaginal birth, but it is better to be prepared and have someone who you trust around you. And don’t forget to file the infant’s birth certificate, either! Some hospitals take care of it, but in home birth, you have to do it yourself.
CON: Risk of Emergency
You might have a great home birth plan, plan every detail carefully, and yet you might still face a situation that may require an emergency backup plan. Your midwife or caregiver might face a situation where they might need additional professional help. There might be a situation with the baby, too when he or she might need professional assistance instantly. Please bear in mind that pain relief and epidural options are not available in home births. Therefore, it is better to have a home birth plan and an emergency plan too so that you can decrease the risk of injury or death.