If I could redo my births, I'd do them at home! But alas, I was young and uninformed. It goes like this: You're pregnant, you see an OB, and you deliver at a hospital, right? Well, I sure wish someone had told me I was an excellent candidate for home birth and that I didn't need to be a hippie to give it a try. In fact, home births and the use of midwives are on the rise but only 1% of births are at home.
The benefits of home birth appeal to many first-time and repeat moms, including those seeking to avoid a repeat C-section. But a home birth is not for everyone and it requires more preparation and responsibility from the parents. No nurse interrupting your laser focus with her monitoring and cervical exams? No time restraints or restrictions on movement or nourishment? No nurse waking you every few hours after you've had baby? Trust me, sleep is hella precious after birth! Less risk of infection and use of forceps and C-section? SIGN ME UP, LIKE YESTERDAY! Still unsure? Read on to calm those doubts.
Myth #1: HOME BIRTH ISN'T SAFE
Licensed midwives carry everything they need for a birth, including emergency supplies. While it's true birth-related deaths often occurred long ago (even in hospitals), many could've been prevented with today's medical and nutritional improvements along with a better understanding of birth. To play it safe, make sure you and baby are healthy candidates and can access a hospital within 20 minutes. MYTH #2: THERE'S NO PAIN RELIEF While midwives don't carry epidurals with them, they know lots of helpful tricks and have tools that can relieve labor pains. Plus, having the freedom to move, the ability to eat/drink, and being in your comfort zone with the people you want are all factors that help reduce your perception of pain. MYTH #3: MY HOUSE WILL BE A MESS Midwives and their assistants are fluid-cleaning wizards! They use disposable pads for easy cleanup and some take down the birth tub, if you used one. Many will strip your sheets and put any linens in your washer. You'll be left with no evidence! MYTH #4: HOME BIRTH IS FOR CRUNCHY GRANOLA MOMS Everyday folk are now turning to home birth as an alternative to hospital COVID restrictions. In fact, home births rose by 20% in 2020. Indigenous people are reclaiming their birth knowledge and traditions for home births. And many LGBTQ prefer to avoid the potential of discrimination at a hospital. Even celebrities like Hilary Duff and Alanis Morissette have delivered at home. MYTH #4: I CAN'T AFFORD IT Hold on to your wallets for this one! A home birth averages $5,000 depending on your area. A hospital birth costs $10,000 and the number shoots to $15,000 with a C-section. Unfortunately, many insurance companies don't always cover the cheaper and, oftentimes, safer option, but it never hurts to ask if your insurance company does. If you choose a hospital birth because that's only what your insurance covers, I promise that in 20 years, you won't remember the money you saved by skipping the home birth, but you will always remember the labor experience and wonder if it could have been better at home. Click here to learn more about home births. Comments are closed.
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