6 Considerations to Be a Good Candidate for Home Birth
Are you considering home birth vs hospital birth — but aren't sure if it's the right option for you?
Choosing where to give birth is an individualized decision. As such, we believe it’s important to have all the knowledge and support you need to make an informed choice.
In this post, we explore what makes a person best suited to a community birth, given potential home birth risks and benefits. These insights should help you determine if the home birth experience is appropriate for you and your baby.
So, if you're debating about whether or not to have a home birth, keep reading!
You May Be a Good Candidate If…
1. You Understand the Risks & Benefits
Like any birthing option, home birth comes with its own set of risks and benefits. Awareness of home birth safety factors is the key.
Risks of home birth vs hospital birth may include:
Different access to pain relief options and interventions
Complications that may warrant transfer of care during the labor process
The need for changing birth location quickly (if a rare and unlikely urgent reason to transfer arises)
A midwife-assisted home birth with proper planning is likely and statistically demonstrated to have fewer risks than a natural birth without the care and preparation provided by a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).
Benefits of home birth include:
More personalized care with continuous support and guidance before, during, and after your birth
Eliminating unnecessary medical interventions for low-risk pregnancies
A more comfortable and familiar environment for you, which can help reduce anxiety, promote a sense of control, and reduce complications altogether
A more intimate experience, with your loved ones being involved in the birth
Lower risk of morbidities such as tearing, infections, and postpartum hemorrhage
Related: Reasons to Consider a Home Birth over a Hospital Birth
2. You Don’t Have Medical Issues that Could Impact Your Home Birth
Home births tend to be better suited to people with healthy, low-risk pregnancies.
Women with certain medical considerations may need specialized care to help support healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes. If you have any health conditions, we recommend discussing your medical eligibility for home birth with a Certified Professional Midwife.
3. You Don’t Want an Epidural or Medical Intervention
If a natural birth experience and avoiding medical interventions (such as pain medications or forceps) sound good to you — you could be a terrific fit for home birth. Natural births allow you to embrace the empowering journey of childbirth.
By skipping the trappings of a hospital birth, you're trusting your body’s strength and capabilities. A natural birth also lets you experience the childbirth process more fully, which can be incredibly powerful and transformative.
4. Don’t Want to Give Birth in the Confines of a Hospital
For many women, hospitals and birthing centers are cold, impersonal, or less-than-cozy settings for a momentous life event. A comfortable home birth space is infinitely more appealing, especially because you're able to have family and friends nearby if you'd like.
A supportive home birth environment can also be a safe one. The key is creating a home birth plan that includes a home birth kit checklist, emergency preparedness processes, and so on. Your Certified Professional Midwife can help you come up with a thorough plan.
Related: How to Start the Home Birth Conversation with Your Partner
5. You Plan on Working with a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
Teaming up with a CPM can make a world of difference when it comes to making your positive home birth stories a reality! This is one reason midwife-assisted home births are popular.
Your midwife can provide you with high-quality customized care throughout your journey. Compared to in-hospital births, having a midwife at hand typically means a more supportive home birth environment, postpartum care after your home birth, and other perks you just can't get elsewhere.
6. You Want to Create a Detailed Birth Plan
A birth plan is an essential element of any well-conceived home birth. It allows you to communicate your birth preferences to your healthcare providers and sets the tone for your ideal birthing experience.
It should outline how you'd like to approach pain management options, positions for labor and delivery, and who you want to be present during the birth. You can even use your plan to specify details like music, aromatherapy, etc.
Emergency preparedness — e.g., specifying transfer plans to the hospital — is another must-have component for your home birth plan. While home births can be safe for low-risk pregnancies, CPMs work with their clients to have a plan if an unexpected complication arises.
Wondering How to Choose a Qualified Midwife?
Start by researching midwives in your area — look for a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). CPMs have specialized training and expertise in assisting with home births and seeing to the well-being of both mother and baby.
You should also evaluate your personal preferences and comfort level with the midwife you're considering. Reflecting on your values, beliefs, and desired home birth experience can help you figure out if a given midwife is aligned with your priorities and perspectives.
The Home Birth Experience — Is It Right for You?
You've got a lot to ponder if you're thinking about having an out-of-hospital natural birth.
First and foremost, meet with a midwife to make sure that you're a good candidate for home birth based on your medical history and current health status.
It's crucial to have a supportive and experienced birth team in place, including a Certified Professional Midwife and doula.
Adequate preparation and education about the home birth process, as well as having a solid birth plan in place, are also essential.
Carefully considering these factors can greatly contribute to a safer and more fulfilling home birth experience. You'll be better equipped to make smart decisions for you and your family. If you’re interested in learning more about home birth, feel free to schedule a consultation with the midwives at Hearth and Home.