Although hospital delivery had been the standard practice for over one hundred years, more and more parents-to-be are taking advantages of the benefits offered by a home birth.  Many couples feel more comfortable in their own homes during the stressful time of labor, while others feel that the hospital delivery process is inherently traumatic for the newborn child.  Whatever your reasons are for considering an out-of-hospital delivery, read on for more information on home births.

Is it safe?

In fact, home births may be even safer than hospital deliveries.  Studies have indicated that home births result in fewer deaths, injuries and infections when supervised by a trained midwife or birthing assistant, compared with traditional hospital deliveries.  This is due, in no small part, to the higher incidence of infection found in a hospital setting, and the sometimes unnecessary technological intervention that plays a role in hospital births.

When planning a home birth, it’s important to enlist the help of a certified home birth attendant who’s been trained in the medical aspects of the birthing process.  However, while it’s true that very few births actually require a surgical intervention to reduce potential injury to the mother or child, consider your past medical history when deciding whether or not to try a home birth.  If you’ve had any complications with your pregnancy, or if other members of your family have a history of difficult deliveries, delivering in the hospital might be a safer choice for you.

Is it messy?

Another major concern for many couples considering home births is whether they’ll have to replace their mattresses and bedding following the delivery.  While birth is an inherently messy process, an experienced midwife can help you plan for this.  To protect your bed, the midwife can bring a rubber sheet and extra towels.  You can also consider a water birth, either in your bathtub or in a special pool the midwife can bring.  This option tends to be cleaner overall, since the tub or pool can simply be washed clean following the delivery.

Will I have access to the same pain medications during a home birth?

Unfortunately, no.  When you commit to a home birth, you’re also committing to a natural, drug-free birth.  For many couples, the two go hand-in-hand – the decision to deliver at home is often borne out of a desire to go the more natural route.  Many couples of this mindset tend to forego epidurals and other pain medication, regardless of whether they deliver in the hospital or at home.  However, it’s important to weigh how well you handle physical pain when making the decision to give birth at home.

All things considered, home births can be a great choice for women who expect to have few complications during delivery.  Women who are delivering at home are able to get up and move around during labor, and eventually give birth in the position that’s most comfortable for them.  They are also exposed to fewer germs than those who give birth in hospitals and are able to more quickly bond with the child following delivery.  However, if you plan to take part in a home birth, make sure you’re prepared with the help of a trained home birth assistant or midwife.