common questions from home birth-curious families
What is the midwifery model of care? The midwifery model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events and processes. The responsibilities of a midwife practicing within this model are to: 1) monitor the physical, physiological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle; 2) provide individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care; 3) give continuous hands-on assistance during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum; 4) minimize technological interventions; 5) identify and refer those who require obstetrical attention. The application of this client-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
What is “community birth?” Community birth is a new-ish term that refers to planned childbirth at home or in a freestanding birth center, attended by a licensed health care provider. I love the shift towards this term in the literature, and away from the expression “out of hospital birth,” which implies that giving birth in the hospital is the default place for all babies to be born. As a midwife providing home birth services, I strive to be a trusted member of the community that I serve!
Is home birth safe? Home birth is considered safe for those with uncomplicated, full term pregnancies, when labor/birth is monitored & attended by professional midwives. A hospital birth is a safer option when there are active complications for either parent or baby. You can read & learn more about about the safety of home birth here —> Outcomes of planned home births w/ CPMs and here —> Outcomes of Care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the US.
Who is a “good candidate” for home birth? People with low-risk pregnancies are excellent candidates for home birth. Thankfully, the majority of pregnancies (90%+) are considered low-risk. This means that there are no active fetal or maternal complications, and that there is no need for or benefit from medical intervention. Active complications that require medical intervention include conditions such as maternal cardiac disease, fetal growth restriction, uncontrolled gestational diabetes, bleeding/clotting disorders, and preterm labor. Unsure if you are low risk? Scheduling a consultation is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and to figure out if home birth is right for you.
Can I have my friends and family at my birth? Absolutely! Wildwood Midwifery encourages clients to create the birth team that will be supportive to their experience. This may include a doula, friends, or family members.
Can I have a water birth? Yes! Wildwood Midwifery has birth tubs available for clients to use during labor and/or birth. Hydrotherapy during labor is a great way to manage pain, whether you choose to give birth in the tub or not.
What if I had a c-section with a previous pregnancy? Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) has a high success rate at home, and Licensed Midwives are permitted to attend these births in New Mexico. However, VBAC does carry additional risks during labor. Some people are better candidates for VBAC home birth than others, depending on one’s medical history & reason for the prior cesarean delivery. All of this can be discussed during a free consultation & medical history review.
Do you carry emergency equipment? Yes, home birth midwives carry emergency equipment. These items include: IV fluids, oxygen, medications to stop a postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal resuscitation equipment. Midwives are trained to treat emergencies in the home setting and to carefully discern when it is an appropriate time to transfer to the hospital for advanced medical care.
What happens if I transfer to the hospital? Will you come with me? The majority of transfers from home to hospital are non-emergent, and take place by personal vehicle. If a transfer is warranted during labor or in the immediate postpartum, I will both facilitate the transfer over the phone and accompany you and/or the baby to the hospital. Once you are discharged from the hospital and have returned home, we will resume full postpartum care together.
Do you help with breastfeeding? Absolutely. I will help your baby latch in the first few hours after birth, and then I will check in on breastfeeding & weight gain at every subsequent postpartum visit. If there is an issue that is beyond my scope, I typically bring in help from a certified lactation consultant who has more experience with complex breastfeeding issues.
Stay tuned for more FAQs, coming soon….