Is it really a good idea to have a baby at home without medical help? (Unassisted Childbirth)

It's normal to feel scared and have a lot of thoughts when you're about to give birth. "Will it hurt?", "Will the baby be in trouble?", "Will the hospital allow me to stay as I want?" These kinds of questions come to mind. With this fear, some mothers think, "Wouldn't it be better if I just had the baby at home, on my own, without anyone's help?" In fact, in foreign countries, there are talks about mothers who give birth to their children alone, without medical help (Unassisted Childbirth ). So, let's talk about this a little more in depth today. Let's understand exactly how good this is and what are the hidden risks here.

"Childbirth is a natural thing, don't be afraid" - the story told by those who hold this opinion

One prominent proponent of this idea is Laura Shanley. She gave birth to all four of her children at home, without a doctor or midwife. She says she even delivered a breech baby on her own when her husband was away.

"The doctors think I'm crazy," she says with a laugh. "But I believe that childbirth is not painful or dangerous if we're not afraid, if we're not under undue pressure from outside."

He says that when we are faced with something scary and are afraid, our body prepares for the fight-or-flight response . At this time, the amount of blood flowing to the uterus decreases, and labor pains may become irregular or stop. Therefore, his argument is that when we are not afraid and keep our minds relaxed, the body will push the baby out on its own.

However, a director of the American Association of Midwives says, "For her, childbirth must have been very easy. But for most people, it's neither easy nor difficult, it's somewhere in between." In reality, childbirth is not that simple for everyone.

What does medical science say about this? What is the real risk?

While the above opinion may be somewhat comforting, we must also look at the other side of the coin. Childbirth is a life-changing event for both the mother and the baby. Here, the opinions of doctors and midwives are quite different.

Is it true that there is a 'high-risk pregnancy'?

Those who have unassisted births say that many of the 'risky' situations are caused by the hospital environment. For example, they say that the sensors attached to the baby's head and the monitors attached to the abdomen make the mother afraid, and that fear hinders the delivery.

But doctors and midwives don't agree with this at all. What they point out is what really matters.

What dangers can occur in real life?

The saying " the body will expel the baby on its own" is not always true. Dangerous situations can arise suddenly and without warning during childbirth.

• Postpartum Hemorrhage: This is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. If this happens at home, it can kill you before you can even get to the hospital.
• Obstructed Labor: If the baby's head is too large or the baby is positioned incorrectly, labor may stop midway. At this point, a Caesarean section should be performed immediately.
• Cord around the baby's neck: Although this is normal, sometimes the umbilical cord can become tight and deprive the baby of oxygen .
• Birth Asphyxia: Sometimes a baby does not breathe at birth. In such cases, special equipment must be used to help the baby breathe immediately.

In an emergency like this, calling "911" from home (in our country, 1990) and waiting for an ambulance to arrive is a waste of valuable time. Compared to the facilities available in a hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU), there are very limited things that can be done at home.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) officially states, "The safety standards found in a hospital cannot be achieved at home."

So what is the best and safest option?

Your desire for childbirth, that is, a comfortable, private experience, is very reasonable. Fortunately, the medical system today is also thinking a lot about it.

Nowadays, many hospitals have birthing rooms that are designed to be as comfortable as a bedroom in a home. Some places have facilities for water births. Also, it is now much more encouraged to change positions as you need throughout the labor and to seek the support of your husband.

Remember, a good doctor or midwife is not your enemy, but your best friend, who is there to protect you and your baby. They are there to put your mind at ease, help you manage pain, and detect any potential dangers early on to protect you both.

As great as the idea of ​​having a baby at home may seem, it's like walking on a tightrope on a high mountain without a safety net. Everything can go well, but a small mistake can lead to unimaginable disaster. So, when making decisions about your childbirth, let your intellect prevail over your emotions.

Childbirth, Homebirth, Childbirth without medical assistance, Pregnancy care, Risks of childbirth, Safe childbirth, Unassisted Childbirth