It is unfortunate that many women enter the hospital to deliver their babies and immediately feel tied to monitors and wires.  The personal feel of the delivery is taken away, leaving the experience to feel cold and clinical.  Many women today have begun to deliver their babies at home with professional mid-wives.  Surprisingly, there are obstetricians that happily support home deliveries and provide both pre and postnatal care to both Mom and baby.

You should meet certain criteria before you plan on birthing your child at home.  They are as follows:

• Your baby cannot be in a breech position.

• You cannot have any pre-existing medical conditions that may cause complications during the birth.  Some of these include heart conditions, diabetes or AIDS.

• You are only delivering one baby.  Multiple births are not generally recommended at home.

• You have not delivered previous babies by cesarean.

• You are near a hospital and can be transported there quickly if there is an emergency

Women find home births to be faster with fewer interventions.  You may walk anywhere you like in familiar surroundings without being connected to wires or machines.  If you are hungry or thirsty you are able to eat or drink.  You can also ease your contractions by sitting in a bath of body temperature water.  When you deliver at home, you are surrounded by family, making the birth a celebration of life.  Furthermore, you and your baby will not be exposed to viruses found in hospital settings.

A home birth requires that you are able to work through a natural, drug-free birth.  There are many ways you can ease the pain of labor contractions, including multiple positions, breathing, massage, self-hypnosis and warm water.  You can also purchase a birthing ball, which reduces pressure from gravity and enables an easier birth.

If you are looking into a home birth, call several local obstetricians and ask if they provide home birthing services.  They must have extensive experience with home births, and should have all the necessary equipment in case of emergency.  Surprisingly, many insurance companies will pay for home births because they are significantly less expensive than hospital births.  If you choose to use a certified direct-entry midwife (CPM) or a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), call the American College of Nurse Midwives for a list of local midwives near you.  This number is (240)485-1800. 

Plan for your home birth several months in advance.  Have someone designated to stay at your home for several days after your delivery to help with the cooking and sibling child care.  It is important for you to rest and get to know your little one.  Ask your health care provider what supplies you need to have on hand for the delivery.  These can include towels, sterilized water and somewhere to keep your baby warm.  Your OB/GYN or mid-wife will bring the necessary equipment for the actual delivery.  The day after your delivery, your doctor or midwife will visit to check on your you and your beautiful baby.