How do you see your birth?

Think about how you want your birth to be.  You have the power to make choices now that will help create the birth you want.  Do you want a calm, peaceful birth, surrounded by loved ones?  Do you see yourself giving birth naturally?  Do you envision snuggling up with your newborn next to you afterwards in your own bed?  Do you see yourself giving birth in water?  If that is the birth you envision, birthing at home may be right for you.

"Give birth at home? Are you crazy???"

This is what you will probably hear if you tell your family and friends you are considering a home birth. Homebirth may actually be the most sane way to bring a child into this world! For most people, the safest place to give birth is not the hospital. Before you discuss your choice with your family and friends, make sure you know the facts about the safety of homebirth.

If you look at how the United States stacks up against other countries in the world with regards to childbirth safety, you would expect to find us at perhaps number 1 or 2. Maybe even somewhere in the top 5. Nope, not even close. The U.S. currently ranks 36th in the world for infant mortality, and ranks behind 30 developed countries in maternal mortality. That's right; the wealthiest, "most advanced" country in the world is not even in the top 15 countries world-wide. In every country that has a lower maternal mortality rate than the United States, midwives, not obstetricians, manage normal pregnancy and birth.  Yet, we spend more than any other nation on maternity care.

The World Health Organization says, "It has never been scientifically proven that the hospital is a safer place than home for a woman who has had an uncomplicated pregnancy to have her baby. Studies of planned home births in developed countries with women who have had uncomplicated pregnancies have shown sickness and death rates for mother and baby equal to or better than hospital birth statistics for women with uncomplicated pregnancies."

Take a closer look at home birth and see if it is right for you and your family. Look at the facts and make up your own mind about where you should birth your baby.

British Medical Journal Study on the Safety of Homebirth

Midwifery Today - Why Homebirth?
Is Homebirth For You?
Homebirth Web Ring
The Safety of Homebirth