Greater freedom for the birth giver to move, bathe, and eat as they see fit A greater ability for the birth giver to adjust their position during labor The comfort of familiar surroundings and faces The ability to give birth without medical assistance (like the use of painkillers), if desired The ability to meet religious or cultural expectations for birth Lower overall cost, in some situations
Greater freedom for the birth giver to move, bathe, and eat as they see fit A greater ability for the birth giver to adjust their position during labor The comfort of familiar surroundings and faces The ability to give birth without medical assistance (like the use of painkillers), if desired The ability to meet religious or cultural expectations for birth Lower overall cost, in some situations
When the birth giver has any chronic health condition (diabetes, epilepsy, etc. ) When the birth giver has undergone a C-section for a previous pregnancy If prenatal screening has revealed any health concerns for the unborn child If the birth giver has developed a pregnancy-associated health condition If the birth giver uses tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs If the birth giver has twins, triplets, etc. or if the child hasn’t settled into a headfirst position for delivery If a birth is premature or late. In other words, don’t plan a home birth before the 37th week of pregnancy or after the 41st week.
When the birth giver has any chronic health condition (diabetes, epilepsy, etc. ) When the birth giver has undergone a C-section for a previous pregnancy If prenatal screening has revealed any health concerns for the unborn child If the birth giver has developed a pregnancy-associated health condition If the birth giver uses tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs If the birth giver has twins, triplets, etc. or if the child hasn’t settled into a headfirst position for delivery If a birth is premature or late. In other words, don’t plan a home birth before the 37th week of pregnancy or after the 41st week.
In the United States, it is legal in all 50 states to hire a certified nurse midwife (CNM). [4] X Research source CNMs are certified nurses who usually work in hospitals - though it’s rare for them to make house calls, it is legal to hire them for home births in every state. In 27 states, it is also legal to hire a direct-entry midwife or certified professional midwife (CPM). [5] X Research source Direct-entry midwives are midwives who attained their status through self-study, apprenticeship, etc. and are not required to be a nurse or doctor. CPMs are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPMs are not required to carry insurance and are not subject to peer review.
The Mayo Clinic also recommends making sure the doctor or midwife has easy access to the consultation of doctors at a nearby hospital, if possible. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may also want to consider finding or hiring a doula - someone who provides continuous physical and emotional support throughout a birth giver’s labor. It can also help to take a comprehensive course that goes over the process of birth, how to cope with contractions, breathing and relaxation techniques, breastfeeding, and postpartum care. [7] X Expert Source Giselle BaumetMindset & Wellness Coach Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
Besides the doctor/midwife, which people, if any, do you want present for the birth? Where do you plan to deliver? Note that, for much of your labor, you will be able to move around for comfort. What supplies should you plan on having? Talk to your doctor - usually, you’ll want lots of extra towels, sheets, pillows, and blankets, plus waterproof coverings for the bed and floor. How will you manage the pain? Will you use medical painkillers, the Lamaze technique or another form of pain management?
In a pinch, a clean, dry shower curtain will work as a water-tight barrier to prevent stains. Though your doctor or midwife will most likely have these things, you may also want to have sterile gauze pads and ties ready nearby for cutting the baby’s cord.
Your water breaking Dilation of the cervix Bloody show (the discharge of a pinkish or brownish blood-tinged mucous) Contractions lasting 30 to 90 seconds
The rest of the advice in this section is intended merely as a rough guide - always defer to the advice of your doctor or midwife.
Traces of feces appear in your amniotic fluid when your water breaks The umbilical cord drops into your vagina before the baby does You have vaginal bleeding not involved with your bloody show or if your bloody show contains an especially large amount of blood (normal bloody shows are pink, brown, or somewhat blood-tinged) You don’t deliver the placenta after the child is born or the placenta isn’t delivered intact Your baby isn’t born head-first Your baby appears distressed in any way Labor does not progress into childbirth
You may begin to feel an urge to push - your attendant will usually tell you not to do so until your cervix has dilated to 10 centimeter (3. 9 in). At this point, it is usually not too late to receive pain medication. If you have planned for this possibility and have painkillers on hand, talk to your doctor or midwife to assess whether or not they are appropriate.
Don’t be afraid to try different positions, like getting on all fours, kneeling, or squatting. Your doctor or midwife will usually want you to be in the position that is most comfortable and allows you to push most effectively. As you push and strain, don’t worry about accidentally urinating or defecating - this is extremely common and your birth attendant will expect it. Concentrate solely on pushing out the baby.
Don’t be afraid to scream, cry, wail, or groan. This is very common during contractions and birth pains. [12] X Research source Breech birth (when a baby’s feet come out before its head) is a medical condition that carries added risks for the baby and will most likely necessitate a trip to the hospital. Most breech births today result in C-sections.
After giving birth, the birth attendant may recommend initiating breast feeding. Do not bathe the baby immediately. At birth you will notice the baby will have a whitish covering. This is normal - the covering is called a vernix. It is thought to provide protection from bacterial infections and moisturize the baby’s skin.
If your placenta doesn’t come out or doesn’t come out in one piece, go to the hospital - this is a medical condition that, if ignored, can have potentially serious consequences.
You may also want to receive a medical examination yourself - childbirth is an intense, demanding process, and if you feel out of the ordinary in any way, it’s best to have a doctor determine whether anything is wrong.
Infection from contaminated water Complications from the baby swallowing water Though very rare, there is also a risk of brain damage or death from oxygen deprivation while the baby is underwater.
Make sure your water is clean and no hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37 degrees Celsius). [16] X Research source
As with normal labor, you may change your position for comfort. You may, for instance, try pushing while lying or kneeling in the water. If, at any point, you or the baby show any signs of complications, get out of the pool.
In some cases, the baby will have their first bowel movement in the womb. In this case, get the baby’s head above water and away from any contaminated water immediately, as serious infection can occur if the baby inhales or drinks any of its own feces. If you believe that this may have happened, take your baby to a hospital immediately.
