Is Homebirth For You?
FAQ About Giving Birth at Your Home
There are many options available when choosing where to give birth to your baby. If your pregnancy is low-risk and you’re hoping for a natural childbirth with minimal intervention, homebirth is a great option to consider.
Why do many moms want to birth at home?
Women have different reasons for choosing homebirth – freedom of choice, religious or cultural reasons or simply the comfort of being in their own home surrounded by family and friends. Women who choose homebirth believe that birth is a normal, natural process and not a medical event. Contrary to popular belief, homebirth moms are not all hippies or uninsured – many well-educated, affluent moms also choose to birth at home.
Who will attend my birth?
One of the many reasons moms choose homebirth is the fact they can labor and give birth in the comfort of their own home. You can invite anyone you want!
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are the most common health care providers at homebirths. CPMs are not currently recognized in Illinois, so it’s up to you to decide whether or not to you want to work with a midwife who may be trained and certified, but not able to legally practice in the state.
Even though a midwife will be present, many moms find it helpful to also have a doula to help with physical, emotional and informational support during labor. Keep in mind that doulas don’t perform any medical tasks — like checking your cervix or monitoring fetal heart tones — so they’re never a replacement for midwifery care.
If you have an older child and plan to have her participate in the labor and birth experience, it’s a good idea to have a close friend or family member there to “doula” her, too, by providing childcare and comfort while you’re in labor.
Is homebirth safe?
Many studies show that when pregnancy is low risk, homebirth is just as safe, or even safer, than hospital birth. In many other countries of the world, homebirth attended by midwives is the standard of care, not an “alternative” like here in the U.S.
That said, be sure to ask your midwife about reasons she may risk you out completely from giving birth at home or reasons she may transfer your care to an obstetrician or hospital during pregnancy, labor or postpartum. While many complications can be detected before they become emergencies, you’ll want to know where the nearest hospital is, and if your midwife has privileges there. If she doesn’t, find out ahead of time who will be able to attend to you and your baby’s care in the hospital.
Do I still need a birth plan?
If you labor and deliver at home, a standard birth plan may not be necessary, since many of the reasons moms planning hospital births create one — such as requesting no interventions unless medically necessary or not being pushed to take medication — aren’t a concern for homebirth. However, you may find it beneficial to think about a plan in case of hospital transfer.
What should I do if my friends/family don't agree with homebirth?
Remember that every labor is different, and the choices we make may not be the same choices our family and friends made. You shouldn’t feel like you have to defend your choice. However, you can always direct skeptical people to research that shows the safety of homebirth for low risk moms.