Pregnant women and their families have a couple other options other than a conventional hospital when deciding where to labor and deliver children. Those options include:
• Birthing Centers
• Homebirth
A birth center gives women a comfortable, home-like environment in which to give birth. The concept is to make labor and delivery an extra special, warm, and family-focused process. A certified nurse-midwife and not an obstetrician usually deliver babies at birth centers. Healthy women with low risk factors for problems during pregnancy, labor and delivery may choose a birth center for labor and delivery.
What to expect in a birth center:
• No routine medical procedures
• You will not be automatically hooked up to an IV
• You will not have an electronic fetal monitor around your belly the whole time
• The midwife or nurse will check your baby with a handheld machine
• After birth, all examinations and care occurs in your room
• A natural and personal process of labor and delivery without most high-tech equipment and routine procedures
• You will not receive epidurals at a birth center; however, some pain medications may be available.
• If a cesarean section becomes necessary, women must be moved to a hospital for the procedure.
• Basic emergency care is performed on babies with problems while they are being moved to a hospital
• Some birthing centers have showers or tubs in their rooms for laboring women.
• Birthing centers tend to have large beds and rocking chairs to resemble the comforts of home
• Usually birth centers allow more people in the delivery room than do hospitals
Where can you find a birthing center?
Birth Centers can be found:
• Inside of hospitals
• Affiliated with a hospital
• Completely independent and separate facilities
If you are interested in a birth center to labor and deliver your baby what is one of the most important things for you to be sure of?
• You should be sure the birthing center you choose is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. An accredited birth center must have affiliated doctors at a nearby hospital to tend to problems with the mom or baby.
Homebirth
Who are good candidates for labor and delivery at home?
• A healthy pregnant woman with no risk factors for complications during the pregnancy, labor or delivery.
Who will deliver a baby at home?
• Some certified nurse midwives and physicians will deliver babies at home
Before you finalize your decision about having a baby at home be sure to check with your health insurance company. Some insurance companies will not cover the cost of care for home births.
Are homebirths common?
• Planned homebirths in the United States are still controversial
• Homebirths are common in many European countries
You should realize that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist is against homebirths. This organization states that hospitals are the safest place to deliver a baby. This is especially true in the case of an emergency. The hospital’s equipment and highly trained physicians can provide the best care for a woman and her baby.
What are the advantages of homebirth?
• You will be able to experience labor and delivery in the privacy and comfort of your home
• With no routine medical procedures, you are able to have complete control of your experience
What are the disadvantages of homebirth?
• In case of a problem, you and the baby will not have immediate hospital/medical care. You and the baby will have to wait until transfer to the hospital
• Women who deliver at home have no options for pain relief
What are some of the things you should consider before planning a homebirth?
• You must have a highly trained and experienced midwife and a fail-safe back-up plan to ensure your safety and that of your baby
• Fast and reliable transportation to a hospital if needed
• If you live very far from a hospital, homebirth may not be the best choice
• The midwife you choose should be experienced and have the necessary skills and supplies to start emergency care for you and the baby if needed
• The midwife you choose should have access to a physician 24 hours a day
Source: National Institutes of Health Online
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.
By Connie Limon
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