Thankfully, all the friends I’ve told have been very supportive of my decision to have a home birth. (thank you, guys!) Even my mum and dad are saying that they will support whatever decision P and I have made, probably because they know me well enough to not interfere.
Obviously, I make all major (and most minor) decisions after full consultation with my husband (as one should), even though some people seem to think I just bulldoze and manipulate him. Those of you who know P and I well will know how unlikely that is!
I’ve only had a few instances of “oh, do you think it’s a good idea?” and “You’re brave” type comments. There is no obligation for me to justify my desisions to anyone but myself and my partner, I know. But this is my heartfelt response to any doubters out there.
To start, a short article from the Sydney Morning Herald on home birth, with a huge heap of interesting comments.
Is it safe?
According to the Cochrane Collaboration, a well-respected international research organisation:
The change to planned hospital birth for low-risk pregnant women in many countries during this century was not supported by good evidence. Planned hospital birth may even increase unnecessary interventions and complications without any benefit for low-risk women.
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As well as this article from the British Medical Journal from a study conducted from 1994 – 2003.
It’s rare for babies to die during birth in the UK, wherever they are born. Overall, in the 10 years of the study, less than 1 (0.79) in 1,000 babies died during or soon after childbirth. For women who chose a home birth and went on to have the baby at home without problems, the risk of the baby dying was even lower (0.48 in 1,000).
Is it expensive?
Eastside Midwives has a cost breakdown, and I think it is approximately what a home birth will cost in Victoria, Australia. Costs might vary elsewhere but this will give you a fair idea.
I suspect out of pocket costs for a private obstetrician are equivalent, but since I haven’t really researched that side of things, I can’t say for sure. Obviously, giving birth in a public hospital is substantially cheaper.
In some cases, Australian private health insurance may cover a home birth. These sites have more information:
Keep in mind that waiting periods apply, and check carefully with the insurance provider you choose before you sign up.
What is it like?
There are some home birth stories from Lisa Barrett’s blog, Homebirth: A Midwife Mutiny. I liked these ones:
- Jasper’s homebirth – a father’s tale
- Caleb’s home birth made me smile.
What are my plans?
The way the current Australian health system works, I have one alternative if I want the same practitioner from my first antenatal visit to the birth to postnatal care: getting a private midwife.
It is common for private obstetricians to not be fully present at the birth, not to mention I don’t like the idea of waiting 30mins for a 10min consultation. If you choose a public hospital you are not guaranteed continuity of care: it’s all about luck: which room you’re in, who’s on shift that day and in charge of your care, etc. Woe betide you are still in the labour ward during a shift change! Your lovely midwife might wave you goodbye and hand over your care to a very grumpy cynical one (or vice versa). I didn’t really want to chance that.
So, I have a private midwife, Joy whom I really like! She has been a calm, sensitive presence and her passion for independent midwifery appeals to the health care professional in me. You can visit her blog at Village Midwife.
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