What makes a homebirth so safe?

There are many misconceptions about homebirth. The biggest must be that homebirth would be unsafe.

Research has shown however, that having a homebirth is safe.

As a matter of fact it has been suggested that it could be safer than a hospital birth for many women!

This is because of the following reasons:

Less chance of intervention and complications. This is because you will not be induced or have your labour speeded up with a syntocinon drip containing an artificial form of the labour hormone oxytocin. This can lead to distress in your baby and the need for more painrelief- like an epidural- due to disruption of your normal 'labour' hormones.

No interruption in your labour due to moving to hospital. Very often labour slows down when you enter the hospital due to a flow of adrenaline. You can imagine that even for the most laid back person, it is hard to relax in hospital! When your labour slows down or stops due to your adrenaline flow, your labour might be started or speeded up with medication, followed by possible more intervention and complications.

Far less chance of infections (like MRSA for example)

No time pressure. In hospital doctors compare the progress of your labour to that of the average women. It could be that you take a bit longer, what in itself is nothing to worry about. It becomes worrying though if you are then pushed into having artificial hormones and medication to speed up your labour. Because then the chances of more intervention and complications dramatically increases.

(see also:Benefits of homebirth)

Most women have a healthy pregnancy. And most of those women are able to have a homebirth. (See also -who can have a homebirth) And should they opt for something different than the standard hospital care they increase their chances dramatically of having a positive birth experience and receive the birth they deserve.

You might come accross inititial opposition to a homebirth. But there is nothing selfish about wanting what is best for you. You do not put your child's life at risk by having a homebirth. A home birth is safe. Your midwife is trained in recognising 'normal labour'. If your child becomes distressed, or anything is out of the ordinary, you will be transferred to hospital in a priority ambulance. And medical staff will be waiting for you as they have been pre warned about your situation. Please keep in mind though that the percentage of women being transferred during a homebirth is very low.

There are many more benefits of homebirth however.