Homebirth

Home and Water Birth Photos

Healthy pregnant women with no risk factors for complications during pregnancy, labor or delivery can consider a planned homebirth. Some certified nurse midwives and physicians will deliver babies at home. If you are considering this choice you should ask your insurance company about their policy on homebirths. Some health insurance companies cover the cost of care for home births and others don't.

Homebirths are common in many countries in Europe. But in the United States, planned homebirths are still a controversial issue.

If you are considering a homebirth, you need to weigh the pros and cons. The main advantage is that you will be able to experience labor and delivery in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Since there will be no routine medical procedures, you will have control of your experience.

To ensure your safety and that of your baby, you must have a highly trained and experienced midwife along with a fail-safe back-up plan. You will need fast, reliable transportation to a hospital. If you live far away from a hospital, homebirth may not be the best choice. Your midwife must be experienced and have the necessary skills and supplies to start emergency care for you and your baby if need be. Your midwife should also have access to a physician 24 hours a day.

Homebirth photos

Home birth, father assisting.

Birth at home, mother with her newborn baby.

Waterbirth photos

Water birth at home

Born in water.

Waterbirth: the baby is now 5 min old.

Birthing on all fours in a birthing pool.

More articles about labor and delivery:

Homebirth story by a father