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Family & Relationships » Kids » Is a Natural Birth with a Midwife Right for You?
June 23, 2010
Safety
One reason most American moms default to a hospital birth is the perception of safety. Yet numerous studies show that the standard procedure during a hospital delivery increases the risk of complications. All of the more than 20 nations with lower infant mortality rates than the United States rely on midwives rather than obstetric surgeons for delivery. The World Health Organization states that the number of births by cesarean section in any nation should not exceed 3 in 20, yet 1 in 3 mothers in the U.S. give birth this way. Like any major surgery, a c-section puts a mother at risk for infection and other complications, even death. It also slows post-birth recovery. On the other hand, as few as 10 percent of deliveries with a midwife require medical intervention. The midwife brings medical equipment to the home or birthing center to monitor mother and baby, and provides medical care in the rare event of a complication. Should the mother need or want to go to the hospital, the midwife accompanies her for continued support.
Support
The experience of becoming a mother for the first time brings with it a lot of questions, such as what to eat, what to expect during labor and how to care for a newborn. A midwife is on call 24/7 to address these concerns. A typical prenatal visit involves as much as an hour of conversation, and the mother is welcome to bring whomever she wants to prenatal visits and to delivery. This quality times makes the midwife better able to anticipate potential complications that may arise at any point during the pregnancy. It also makes the two women well-acquainted enough that the mother is able to relax during labor. After delivery, the midwife and her assistant allow the family time together with the baby before taking him or her away for cleaning and measuring. Before they leave, they clean up and make sure the baby is nursing. The midwife checks on the mother and baby over the next 6 weeks.
Cost
On average, a homebirth costs less than half as much as a hospital birth. Rather than a hospital stay, medications and a doctor's salary, the cost mostly covers the midwife's round-the-clock care over the course of the pregnancy. Fees may total as little as $3,000, including a payment of a few hundred dollars to the midwife's assistant at the time of birth. The midwife may require a deposit at the first prenatal visit, then allow the family to make payments until the 34th week of the pregnancy without additional fees. Discounts are often possible if the family pays the fees in total at the beginning of the pregnancy. Some insurance companies cover a midwife's services, though it's not unusual for couples to pay the cost out-of-pocket.
Choosing a Midwife
One of the biggest differences between hospital care and midwife care is the family's role in decision-making. This starts when the family decides that they want a homebirth, and it continues as they decide on a midwife. The ideal midwife provides care based on the Midwives Model of Care, meaning that she keeps the family informed about what's going on throughout the pregnancy, labor and delivery so that they can make decisions that are right for them. To find the right midwife, ask women in your area who have used a midwife about their experiences. Visit local birth centers and interview several midwives. Ask each how she would handle various situations, and whether she follows the Midwives Model of Care. A certified professional midwife (CPM) specializes in homebirths, while a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is usually trained to attend births in a hospital setting, where it's more difficult to follow the Midwives Model of Care. Never choose a midwife that makes you or your family feel uncomfortable.
Reasons Not to Choose a Homebirth
While a small percentage of couples choose homebirth for their first pregnancy, most do so after a unsatisfying experience in a hospital setting. Some are attracted by the lack of unnecessary medical intervention during labor. Others are drawn to the emotional support they receive from a midwife, as well as from their family and friends who are allowed to participate throughout the experience. Still other couples like the idea of a mother being encouraged to relax, eat and drink during labor rather than being made to lie in bed and eat ice chips. When considering how you want to give birth, you should make your decision for the right reasons. Never choose a home birth to save money, to be different, or for any other reason unrelated to your wellbeing and that of your baby. You should feel confident in your choice at the the time of delivery.
References:
Is a Natural Birth with a Midwife Right for You?
by Brie WallaceJune 23, 2010
Safety
One reason most American moms default to a hospital birth is the perception of safety. Yet numerous studies show that the standard procedure during a hospital delivery increases the risk of complications. All of the more than 20 nations with lower infant mortality rates than the United States rely on midwives rather than obstetric surgeons for delivery. The World Health Organization states that the number of births by cesarean section in any nation should not exceed 3 in 20, yet 1 in 3 mothers in the U.S. give birth this way. Like any major surgery, a c-section puts a mother at risk for infection and other complications, even death. It also slows post-birth recovery. On the other hand, as few as 10 percent of deliveries with a midwife require medical intervention. The midwife brings medical equipment to the home or birthing center to monitor mother and baby, and provides medical care in the rare event of a complication. Should the mother need or want to go to the hospital, the midwife accompanies her for continued support.
Support
The experience of becoming a mother for the first time brings with it a lot of questions, such as what to eat, what to expect during labor and how to care for a newborn. A midwife is on call 24/7 to address these concerns. A typical prenatal visit involves as much as an hour of conversation, and the mother is welcome to bring whomever she wants to prenatal visits and to delivery. This quality times makes the midwife better able to anticipate potential complications that may arise at any point during the pregnancy. It also makes the two women well-acquainted enough that the mother is able to relax during labor. After delivery, the midwife and her assistant allow the family time together with the baby before taking him or her away for cleaning and measuring. Before they leave, they clean up and make sure the baby is nursing. The midwife checks on the mother and baby over the next 6 weeks.
Cost
On average, a homebirth costs less than half as much as a hospital birth. Rather than a hospital stay, medications and a doctor's salary, the cost mostly covers the midwife's round-the-clock care over the course of the pregnancy. Fees may total as little as $3,000, including a payment of a few hundred dollars to the midwife's assistant at the time of birth. The midwife may require a deposit at the first prenatal visit, then allow the family to make payments until the 34th week of the pregnancy without additional fees. Discounts are often possible if the family pays the fees in total at the beginning of the pregnancy. Some insurance companies cover a midwife's services, though it's not unusual for couples to pay the cost out-of-pocket.
Choosing a Midwife
One of the biggest differences between hospital care and midwife care is the family's role in decision-making. This starts when the family decides that they want a homebirth, and it continues as they decide on a midwife. The ideal midwife provides care based on the Midwives Model of Care, meaning that she keeps the family informed about what's going on throughout the pregnancy, labor and delivery so that they can make decisions that are right for them. To find the right midwife, ask women in your area who have used a midwife about their experiences. Visit local birth centers and interview several midwives. Ask each how she would handle various situations, and whether she follows the Midwives Model of Care. A certified professional midwife (CPM) specializes in homebirths, while a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is usually trained to attend births in a hospital setting, where it's more difficult to follow the Midwives Model of Care. Never choose a midwife that makes you or your family feel uncomfortable.
Reasons Not to Choose a Homebirth
While a small percentage of couples choose homebirth for their first pregnancy, most do so after a unsatisfying experience in a hospital setting. Some are attracted by the lack of unnecessary medical intervention during labor. Others are drawn to the emotional support they receive from a midwife, as well as from their family and friends who are allowed to participate throughout the experience. Still other couples like the idea of a mother being encouraged to relax, eat and drink during labor rather than being made to lie in bed and eat ice chips. When considering how you want to give birth, you should make your decision for the right reasons. Never choose a home birth to save money, to be different, or for any other reason unrelated to your wellbeing and that of your baby. You should feel confident in your choice at the the time of delivery.
References:
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