The safety of home birth is well documented but surprisingly few people know this and subsequently it is not uncommon for women who are interested in home birth to meet with opposition from family and friends. Below are links which we hope will help give you the information you need to inform yourself and others about home birth: Also watch: The Business of Being Born (available on Netflix) In addition to being a very safe alternative, home birth offers benefits to mothers, fathers and babies! Advantages of Home Birth * You make the decisions regarding your care based on what you believe to be best for yourself and your baby. *Midwives inform and educate you about your care options. * You are not subject to routine, invasive and painful hospital procedures such as IV and episiotomy. * Limits medical management of pregnancy and birth (inductions, "breaking your water or starting pitocin to "speed things up") * Reduces complication rates because of fewer interventions * Supportive of VBAC and water birth * Only a 2-4% chance of a c-section * Your birth plan is supported * You are more likely to have a natural birth * You are less likely to need drugs or mechanical assistance for delivery * More control over your birth * Freedom to move, eat, drink and shower as you please * Infection is less likely at home. You and your baby are immune to the bacteria in your own home which makes you less susceptible to infection. Hospitals can carry dangerous super-bacteria such as MRSA and "flesh eating bacteria". * Earlier detection of problems because of the constant attendance of a midwife *Dads are more comfortable (they have access to their own food, shower and bed), making it easier to support their partner. *They can be as involved as they want to be. Many of our dads even get to catch the baby! *Statistically, it's safer * Gentle experience for baby * No baby/mother separation * Uninterrupted bonding and breastfeeding * Relaxed and peaceful setting |
| About Home Birth |
1. What happens if two women are in labor at the same time?
This is very uncommon although it's possible and sometimes does occur. In the
even that we have two clients in labor at the same time Karly would stay with
the client who called first. Her assistant, who you would know from prenatal
visits would attend the other woman along with one of Karly's back up
midwives from the community. She would call another assistant or back up
midwife to assist her so that there would be at least two people at both births.
2. Do you have a back up doctor?
No. Unfortunately, midwives practicing home birth in the state of California can
not have official physician back up. The majority of doctors are not supportive
of home birth. For those who see it as a viable option for low risk mothers, their
malpractice insurance would no longer insure them if they were to provide
official backup for a home birth midwife.
3. Do I need to see a doctor during my pregnancy if I have a midwife?
A midwife provides complete prenatal care and many people see only their
midwife throughout pregnancy. Some people choose to see a doctor and
midwife concurrently. One reason is so that in the event that their labor needs
to be relocated to a hospital, they have a relationship with a doctor who will
meet them at the hospital. Another reason might be that if they have HMO
insurance, they can have all of their labs paid for in full.
4. Do you suture?
Yes. We carry lidocaine (a local injectable anesthetic) and dissolving suture for
repairs. We suture using sterile technique.
5. Do you carry pain medication?
We carry lidocaine for pain management during suturing but we carry no pain
medication for labor. Pain medications for labor carry certain risks we are not
prepared to handle at home. We also believe that when the body's chemistry is
left uninterrupted, birth will proceed normally and without complications.
6. What emergency equipment do you carry?
We carry resuscitation equipment for mom and baby including oxygen, oxygen
masks, an resuscitation bag, and deep suction equipment.
For postpartum hemorrhage we carry pitocin and cytotec as well as herbs.
7. How long do you stay after the birth?
We stay between 2-4 hours or longer if there is a need.
8. What if the baby's cord is around it's neck?
It is a common misconception that the cord around the neck is dangerous. It is
actually very common (23%) for a baby to have the cord wrapped around it's
neck, arm or shoulder which is usually loosely wrapped and can be easily
unraveled. Since the baby gets all of it's oxygen through the umbilical cord in
utero and not by breathing, this scenario is only dangerous if the cord is so tight
that it cuts off the circulation to and from the head or prevents the baby from
delivering. This is a very uncommon situation but when it arises we do what a
doctor would do in the hospital. We quickly try to unravel the cord, then see if
the baby will deliver through or over it and if neither attempt works, the cord
must be clamped and cut to release the baby.
9. What is the most common reason you transport?
Most transports are non emergent. The most common reason for transport is a
lack of progress in a first time mom. Other reasons for transport would be a
placental abruption, non-reassuring fetal heart rates, signs of toxemia, an
unmanageable postpartum hemorrhage, a retained placenta and respiratory
distress in the newborn among other things. However, these occurrences are
fairly uncommon and usually can be resolved at home. You would not be
transported because your labor is progressing slowly or transferred out of care
because you were over 2 weeks past your due date.
 |