Could home birth be for me?
Home birth may be an option for you if:
- You are having a healthy, normal pregnancy (first births, VBAC, twins, and many common medical conditions fall within this category)
- If you are not sure of your risk status, Ask the Midwife!
- You want to avoid an episiotomy, cesarean section, induction, epidural, and other interventions unless necessary.
- You want to enjoy the comforts of your home and familiar surroundings
- You want to be free to move around, change positions, use the tub or shower, and eat or drink freely during labor
- You want more personalized prenatal care.
- You want a more private experience than the hospital allows, or to share the experience with family and friends.
What is a home birth with Anissa like?
You may wish to read reviews and birth stories from our happy clients!
- You will call the midwife when you are in active labor and ready for them to come
- The midwife will keep a low profile for most of labor, checking on you and baby and offering support as needed.
- They will be by your side continuously during pushing, monitoring you and baby as well as offering physical and emotional support.
- They will protect the “Golden Hour” after birth as special bonding time for you and baby.
- They will stay with you for at least two hours after the placenta is born to make sure you and the baby are stable and breastfeeding has been established.
- You may keep the placenta for encapsulation, burial, or discard it.
- There will be a small birth team to help make your birth experience as safe, smooth, and supported as possible!
What is the difference between a home birth and a birth center birth?
There is very little difference! We will have all the same equipment at your home that we do at a birth center, including:
- A birth tub (rental included in your fee!)
- Fetoscopes and ultrasonic stethoscopes
- Sterile gloves, gauze pads, cotton hat for the baby, drop cloths, waterproof covers for the bed, etc
- Special herbal preparations, natural remedies, massage supplies/techniques, and much more!
- Medications for hemorrhage
- Oxygen
- IV for dehydration or needing additional fluids
- Suture kit if you tear
How often does transfer to the hospital occur?
Home Birth Benefits
Home birth may be significantly easier on your bank account. An average uncomplicated vaginal birth costs about 60% less in a home than in a hospital.
Home birth provides immediate bonding and nursing. Early nursing helps the mother stop bleeding, clears mucus from the baby’s nose and mouth, and transfers disease-fighting antibodies in the milk from mother to baby.
Home birth allows you to be surrounded by those you love, as well as intimacy and privacy from strangers at your birth. Birth is a very primal event, and constant interruptions of strangers can be highly disruptive to the birth process. On the other hand, when it becomes more intense near the end, you may desire the support of family, friends, and a familiar birth team.
Citizens For Midwifery and the National Partnership for Women & Families has up to date information about midwifery care and its safety for birthing people. You may wish to read