Many people believe that having a baby in hospital is safer than having a baby
at home. For those individuals whose pregnancies are uncomplicated,
research has not found any significant difference in the safety of having a
baby at home or in hospital. Midwives in Ontario offer choice of birthplace.
Midwives deliver babies at home and in hospital. Where you give birth is your
own choice.
Safety:
In the past century, as hospital births became more common, fewer babies
were dying. It is not surprising that people linked the two. They thought that
having babies in hospital was safer.
Studies have not proven a direct cause between hospital births and a
decrease in baby deaths. Better health of the population as a whole and
access to health care in pregnancy and childbirth has a large role in the
decline in numbers of babies dying near the time of birth. What we do know is
that there is no evidence that hospital births are safer for all clients and all
babies as long as there are no risk factors identified for each client before
labour begins.
Why is Homebirth a Safe Option?
Midwives are experienced at providing care at homebirths.
Midwives carry equipment and medications to homebirths.
Midwives are trained to deal with unpredictable emergencies at homebirths.
Midwives’ skills include knowing how to resuscitate babies who need extra
help breathing when they are born. Midwives also monitor the client’s and
baby’s health during labour, birth, and after the baby is born, and will discuss
moving to the hospital if any concerns arise.
This Equipment Includes
● A Doppler to listen to the baby’s heart rate
● Birth instruments
● Equipment to suction the baby if needed
● Oxygen for both mom and baby
● A bag and mask for newborn resuscitation
● Suturing equipment
● A baby scale
● IV equipment
● Medications for bleeding if it occurs after the birth
● Vitamin K and eye ointment for the baby
Midwives recognize that homebirth is a safe option for clients who have no
risk factors in their pregnancy and labour. If a midwife has a concern about
the suitability of homebirth for a particular client, the midwife will discuss the
concern with the client and help them make an informed decision about
choice of birthplace.
Homebirth:
Homebirth is an option for clients without complications in their pregnancy
and without any known risk factors for homebirth.
Advantages:
Clients who choose to give birth in their homes are more likely to feel in
control and have more privacy.
Clients who have had a homebirth and a hospital birth say they much prefer homebirth.
Less chance of contracting infection i.e. Norovirus, SARS, MRSA, VRE.
Disadvantages:
Occasionally clients have to transfer to hospital during labour for complications.
Midwives cannot provide drugs in labour for pain relief at home.
Midwives have a limited scope of practice that prevents the employment of
some of the later steps of emergency skill management.
Midwives carry the first line drugs in the control of bleeding; however we do not carry
the more advance drugs in the control of postpartum hemorrhage.
No access to obstetrical or pediatric care if required in an emergency.
Hospital Birth:
Hospital birth is an option available to all midwifery clients. Low risk clients
who choose to have their babies in the hospital may choose to labour at home
before going to hospital for delivery.
Advantages:
Some people may feel safer in the hospital.
You can choose drugs or epidural for pain relief in labour at the hospital.
There are some unpredictable complications that may occur during birth that
would require immediate medical care that can be obtained faster in hospitals.
Disadvantages:
There may be an increased risk of interventions if you have your baby in the hospital.
There is less privacy at the hospital than at home.
