There are benefits to having a baby at home, for many women. The mother benefits during labor and in her ability to bond as a family with her baby and other children. The baby benefits by bonding with mom and may have less risk of infection after birth. If you are considering a home birth, make an appointment with a midwife to determine if you are a good candidate for home birth. As long as you are healthy and your pregnancy is not complicated, you may be able to give birth at home.
There is increased bonding time for the family with a home birth. Some couples have the children present in the room for the birth of the baby. If it gets to be too much, the children are at home and can go into another room to play. Seeing a sibling born at home may teach children that birth is a natural event.
There is no mother infant separation when the baby is born at home. Too often, we have to fight to keep our babies with us at all times after birth. At many hospitals, the babies are taken for testing and observation. At home, the baby is with Mommy all the time. There are many benefits to the baby when he is kept close to his mommy in the early days after birth.
You can choose the family members you want to be present for your birth. Some women view child birth as an event to be celebrated for the family. They may choose to have grandparents and other close family members attend the birth. Others prefer to have only their partner and other children. Giving birth at home allows you to make these choices.
Some women feel safe in own homes. This keeps women relaxed. When you are able to relax, your body may handle the pain of labor better. Relaxation is a corner stone of the Bradley Method. You will be free to have the environment you want for your birth. You will have the freedom to get up and move around during labor.
Some women feel a sense of history surrounding home birth. It has only been in the last century that the average woman has given birth in a hospital. Throughout most of human history babies were born at home, surrounded by family.
Research suggests that being born at home has benefits for the baby. Studies in the United Kingdom suggest that there are lower rates of infections after birth in babies born at home. In addition, There are fewer interventions in home births, which is better for mom and baby. The baby can breastfeed and bond with his mother immediately after birth. Babies born at home are more likely to be breastfed and breastfeeding is most successful when the baby nurses soon after birth and is able to be near mom and nurse on demand.
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