What is Homebirth?

         Most of our grandparents were born at home. Most of our lawmakers and country leaders were also born at home. Today only between 1 and 5 percent of families choose to give birth to their babies in their own homes and this number is growing. Those who do, claim that their experience of birth was extremely satisfying and empowering. Homebirth is an excellent choice for the majority

of women. Homebirth, or birth in a freestanding birth center, attended by state licensed midwives who also hold the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), or Certified Midwife (CM) credential is also recommended by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the World Health Organization has released a statement that the midwife is the most appropriate care provider for childbirth. The APHA led a five-year study on the safety of out of hospital birth from 1995-2000. The results of that study are published in a resolution that was adopted by the Governing Council of the APHA on October 24, 2001.

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Why Homebirth?

There are many reasons that alternative birthing practices are growing. Among these reasons are the desire to have complete control over the delivery of your child, to be able to make informed decisions and refuse or accept procedures and technology that are standards of care in the industry but are not designed to treat birthing women as individuals who are educated and responsible. Another reason that I hear often is that families feel that the birth of their child is a natural and normal event and they are not sick and do not feel that being in a hospital is necessary for this process. They long for a birth where the baby is treated in a gentle and humane manner and where they have immediate and constant contact with their infant. They do not want routine procedures performed on their baby or themselves. They do not want their labors induced for the convenience of their doctor's or their own schedule. They do not want to lie in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown with an IV inserted in their hand and a fetal monitor strapped around their contracting bellies. They want to be able to eat and drink what they like, to be able to move about their own homes, shower and sit in their own bathrooms. They want to walk in their own yards or neighborhoods during labor. They want to celebrate the birth of their baby with family, friends and attendants of their choosing. They want to really know everyone who is present at this intimate event. They do not want to worry that no one read their "birth plan" and have to fight for every change of hospital policy while they are giving birth. They want experienced and well trained birth attendants who can handle complications and variations of normal in their birth with skill and speed. When a family is able to ask as many questions as they have and to get them answered in an honest and open fashion and when they feel comfortable with their choice, they are most likely going to feel very satisfied with their birth experience even if they do have a complication or things don't go just as they had planned. Families want to be able to talk over any and all decisions that are made during their pregnancy, labor and birth and while in their own homes this will come much more naturally because they are on their own "turf" and the care provider takes their place as a partner in the decision making process of the family who has hired them. When the midwives of Home Sweet Home Birth attend you at home you will not have to drive while you are in labor, you will wait at your own home in your own surroundings for the midwife to come to you. When she arrives, she will assess you and your surroundings to see what she needs to do first. Sometimes it is to give you a big hug and tell you how happy she is that you are in labor. Usually there is time for her to gradually bring in the supplies and equipment needed and set them up close by. Your vital signs and your baby's vital signs will be checked regularly during the labor. We will be writing notes in your chart regarding your labor events, including funny things that are said or done and little things that happen along the way that make your experience unique and special. Your midwife will be ready when you notice any changes in your labor and will be available to explain anything that you ask to know. During the birth of your baby, we will help the daddy catch the baby if he wants to. During and after the birth, if there are any complications that require attention by the midwife, she will not hesitate to do what she needs to do to correct the situation, always keeping you informed of what is happening and giving you choices about the care she is providing.

You will have immediate, exclusive and continuous contact with your baby. There is no reason that we need to take your healthy newborn from your arms. Even if the baby is making a slow transition to life outside the womb, touch, warmth and skin to skin contact with the mother is very beneficial and life giving. Your baby needs to hear your voice and feel your love and touch. You need to touch and smell and kiss your newborn. We will not cut the cord until the placenta has been delivered. This has many wonderful physiologic benefits. The baby who may be slow to respond will benefit from the extra oxygen that the placenta is providing through the intact cord. Your body will recognize that the baby is done with the placenta and will birth it completely without excessive bleeding. While you are bonding with your baby, we will be assessing your wellbeing and begin to tidy up around you. We will stay close by, but give you privacy with your new family member. We keep you supplied with warm, dry blankets for the baby and something refreshing for you to drink. When you are ready, we will help you to the bathroom and shower. Usually not until after the baby has latched on and nursed well and until you are not feeling light headed at all. We will change the sheets on your bed while you are in the shower.

We make sure that all of the laundry is collected and start a load before we leave. You will also get some homemade potato soup before the midwives leave. Once you are showered, have used the potty and have had some food and drink, we will pack up our things and head home. This is usually 3-4 hours after the birth. We clean everything up and when we go, you won't even know we had been there at all. The only thing different will be that you have a new baby!!!! The next day is time for the Birth Certificate to be completed and signed. You will be given an order form so that you can order a copy of the certificate from the Vital Records Dept. A newborn screening test is offered and we will perform the test for you on day one and then again at 2-3 weeks. You can expect to see one of us every day for the first 5 days postpartum and then again at 10 days. The follow up lasts for several weeks and varies depending on how well the baby is gaining weight and on how well you are doing after the birth. If you need more help, we will come more often.

Having a home birth is a very special event. We here at Home Sweet Home Birth love helping you have what we believe will be one of the most wonderful events of your life.

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