What you need to know about home birth

When your baby comes into this world, do you want that wonderful moment to happen in a familiar, comfortable place? Some mothers prefer the comfort and freedom of their own home to a hospital environment. For this reason, some decide to give birth at home. In fact, in the past, childbirth took place at home. But with the medical facilities available in hospitals today, if we give birth at home, we have to take care of many things. Let's talk about everything today.

Why do some people choose to give birth at home?

There are several reasons why someone might decide to have a home birth. The main reasons include:

• Comfortable, familiar environment: The freedom, comfort, and safety of feeling at home rather than the strange environment of a hospital.
• Desire for reduced medical interventions: Some people don't like things like injections to reduce pain. They want a more natural birth.
• Being with family: The desire to have one's husband, mother, or loved ones close by during childbirth.
• More control: The ability to make decisions about things like how the baby is born and the position they are in.
• Religious or cultural beliefs: The need to act according to certain religious or cultural customs.
• Cost reduction: In some cases, this can be less than the cost of delivering a baby in a private hospital.

How to prepare for a home birth?

If you decide to give birth at home, these steps are a must. This is not a game, it is a matter of safety for both you and your baby.

1. Finding a trained professional is essential!

This is the most important thing . Never even think about doing this alone or with the help of someone who is not trained.

• Certified Nurse-Midwife: This is someone who has a nursing degree and specialized training in midwifery. They can care for you during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
• Doula: A doula is someone who does not have medical training but who provides physical and emotional support to the mother during childbirth. They can help you with things like breathing exercises and easy positions. But a doula alone is not enough. You definitely need someone with medical knowledge.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it is essential to have another trained person present at this time who can take sole responsibility for the baby being born.

2. Create a 'Birth Plan'

When planning a home birth, you need to think about everything in advance and prepare. We call this a 'Birth Plan'.

• Equipment needed: What do you need before, during, and after childbirth?
• Participants: Who should be present during the birth ?
• Pain management: What do you do to manage pain? (warm water massage, changing positions, etc.)
• Birthing positions: What are your favorite positions?
• Breastfeeding : Do you breastfeed your baby immediately after birth?
• Umbilical cord clamping and placenta extraction: How are these things done?

Discuss all of this clearly with your partner and the professional (midwife) who is helping you, and keep it in writing.

3. Be prepared to go to the hospital in case of an emergency.

This is 'Plan B'. When giving birth at home, an emergency can arise at any time, even when you least expect it. That means life-threatening conditions for both the mother and the baby. In such a case, you need to go to the hospital immediately.

To prepare for an emergency, do these things:

• Ask your doctor or midwife clearly about the symptoms that require you to go to the hospital.
• Always have a 'hospital bag' ready with the clothes and supplies you need to go to the hospital.
• Arrange transportation . Have a vehicle and driver ready at all times.
• Make a list of phone numbers of people you need to call in an emergency.
• Plan a home birth in a location within 15 minutes of a hospital with 24-hour maternity care .

What are the risks of home birth?

Despite the advantages of comfort and freedom, you must understand that home birth carries greater risks than hospital birth.

• Risk of infant mortality: In home births, the infant mortality rate is about 1-2 per 1,000 births. This is more than double the mortality rate in hospitals.
• Risk of neurological damage to the baby: The risk of the baby developing neurological problems or conditions such as seizures at birth is about three times higher than in a hospital.

Who is eligible for a home birth?

A home birth is not for everyone. To qualify, you must fall into the low-risk category. See if the following applies to you.

Postpartum Care

As soon as your baby is born, it is important to have someone trained to check on your baby's health. Your midwife will help you with this. She will likely come home to check on you and your baby in the first few weeks after delivery.

She should be able to guide you on breastfeeding and advise you on how to care for your baby. Also, having the support of family and loved ones in household chores and taking care of your baby will be a great source of strength.

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