Should I have a home birth?

If you’ve watched Call the Midwife, you will know that once upon a time most women gave birth at home. Maternity Units and Consultant-led units then became where the majority gave birth. In recent years though, home birth rates have increased. You may be wondering, should I have a home birth?

I truly believe knowledge is power, so here is some info to help you with your decision making.

The Pros

Being at home can mean that you feel safe because you are in your own familiar environment. Some people do not like hospital settings, and being at home means you have access to all your home comforts. Being at home means you can follow your own rules; you can have candles on, have your kids come give you a cuddle if that’ll help with oxytocin, and it means you don’t need to travel when you’re having contractions. Plus it means after baby is born you can hop straight into your own cosy bed for a well-deserved rest.

The cons

The cons of a home birth for some are that you don’t have the option of drugs like an epidural should you decide you want it during labour or that you may need to transfer to a hospital should there be any concerns. Some people don’t want to have to do any clearing up after the birth (although I do promise we midwives tidy up after ourselves!). But there may be logistical things like if you’ve hired a pool then you will need to clear this and return it.

A home birth also may not be suitable for you if you pregnancy has been termed “high-risk” or “consultant-led”. You or your baby may need access to certain medicine during birth or after, and you will need to be in hospital for this. It is always worth having a conversation with your midwife though if you would like a home birth but aren’t sure if it will be suitable for you.

So should I have a home birth?

There’s some pros and cons, and you may have more on your own list. But let’s explore the important bit: the stats. The research for women with no risk factors (possibly termed by your team as a “low risk pregnancy”) are as follows.

The following figures are per 1000 births:

Women who had a Vaginal birth (without assistance)

Home 984 vs Birth Unit- 967 vs. Obstetric 927.

That’s a 57 more vaginal births happened at home than in a consultant led unit.

Caesarean Birth

Home 7 vs Obstetric Unit 35.

Only 7 women were transferred in for a caesarean birth compared to 35 who were already on a consultant led unit. Remember, these women ARE NOT on a consultant led unit for any reason as we are comparing women with no other factors involved.

Instrumental birth

Home 9 vs Obstetric Unit 38.

9 women would have transferred in to hospital for a instrumental birth compared to 38 who were birthing with doctors around.

When looking at serious medical problems for baby per 1000 births:

Home 3 vs Obstetric Unit 3 (for second or more time mothers)

So baby’s of mothers (who have birthed before) who are “low risk” are no safer during birth in a hospital than at home.

These findings have been published by NICE and there’s a really interesting table here that compares birth units too. There is also a table that compares all the stats but for first time mothers as remember all the stats above are for mothers who have given birth before.

My best advice would be – have an open conversation with your midwife if you would like to know your options for a home birth.

If you want to read some home birth stories then check out Hannah’s Positive Home Birth or Home Birth 3rd baby – Stephanie’s Story.

Photo Creds: Eva Rose Birth