An explanation of homebirth and pros and cons of this experience.
Deciding whether or not a homebirth is for you is a big decision. Not to be taking lightly, where you give birth to your baby will be a memory you treasure for a lifetime.
The ideal homebirth candidate is a very responsible person. Since the care of nursing staff at a hospital is not available, being responsible for yourself and your home environment is up to you. There will be no one to serve you meals and no one to carry away the mess created by a birth. You will be much more on your own.
You will also have more time between you and the operating room should you need a cesarean section right away. But there are also some real advantages to a homebirth.
A homebirth is a far more peaceful than a birth in a bustling hospital. You can be surrounded by the comforts and familiarity of where you live and have your family by your side much easier. With no staff around there will be less intrusions so more peace and quiet. You will have more freedom to move about and create the birth experience you want.
What your birth philosophy is, is probably the biggest determining factor of where you choose to give birth. If you prefer high-technology over less interference, a homebirth is not for you. If you want the convenience of staff and medical equipment at their fingertips, a homebirth is not for you.
If you want your birth to be an intimate experience shared only by those you care most about, a homebirth is for you. If you want to make the calls on where and how you labor and what you may or may not eat, a homebirth is for you.
If you want to assume any position you desire to deliver your baby in, then a homebirth is for you. Should your labor progress slowly and you don't want medicinal augmentation of labor, then a homebirth is for you.
So you can see, there is more responsibility in choosing a homebirth but also more potential for the birth experience you desire.
Cost is certainly less as well, so if finances are limited and there is midwife or naturopath doctor in your area, giving birth at home might be ideal for you.
The biggest concept to accept when preparing for a homebirth is that should anything go wrong, help is usually farther away. But at the same time, complications that require emergency care rarely happen and it can take as long for an OR crew to assemble as it would to drive to the hospital. So consider all these factors before making your decision.
