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Home birth takes place in an atmosphere of intimacy and peace, only with the husband and the midwife. No rush, no strangers, no unnecessary treatments. The advantages of a home birth are undeniable, but not all women can give birth this way.
Many women dream of welcoming theirchildto their own home. In Poland,home birthtakes place very little, because there are few midwives who deal with it, but also becausehome birthis not an alternative for everyone. However, if the risk of complications is assessed as minimal, then it can be considered.
Home birth - why is it worth it
There are many advantages to giving birth at home. First of all, the woman in labor feels comfortable and safe because she is at home - it affects her well-being and affects the course of labor. There is no stress caused by the very fact of being a patient and undergoing hospital procedures. Second, a woman has a huge influence on what happens. The midwife helps her, tells her, but doesn't impose anything. It is the woman who decides, for example, which position is the most comfortable for her, usually choosing a vertical position (squat, on the knees). The midwife takes into account the will of the woman in labor, thanks to which there is a greater chance, for example, to protect the perineum, and vertical positions alone are very conducive to this.
There is also no rush at home - you do not need to free a place for the next woman in labor or speed up the delivery to make it before the end of the staff shift. So there is no need to administer oxytocin - everything follows its own rhythm, naturally, without unnecessary interference. But on the other hand, there is no possibility of administering painkillers.
The newborn is not threatened by hospital infections at home, and the bacteria present here will immediately colonize his body, making it safer.
Studies also show that babies born at home are calmer, and their mothers suffer less from postpartum depression.
Childbirth at home is an amazing experience for the whole family. The man here is not as embarrassed as in the hospital, he is not ashamed of his emotions, he is more involved in childbirth and experiences it, and then he can enjoy the baby with his partner without restrictions. The newborn is not taken anywhere, he is with his parents all the time.
What's more, older children can see it right away, and even - if this is the will of their parents - accompany their mother during childbirth! Thanks to this, nothey suffer from separation, they do not feel abandoned, on the contrary - very important. They also accept the appearance of siblings more easily.
The following women are not eligible for planned home birth:
- had an abnormal delivery before, with the life of the child at risk
- delivered by caesarean section (not always - it is important why, when and how the operation was performed)
- have pregnancy complications, e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, cholestasis
- have a genital tract infection (e.g. untreated vaginal mycosis) or other active infection
- have undergone gynecological surgery
- suffer from systemic diseases
- they are very young
- are heavy smoker.
Home birth - what are the risks
With all these advantages, this solution has one major disadvantage: the inability to provide quick specialist help in the event of unexpected complications. That is why it is so important to carefully assess the risk of complications.
Only he althy women with minimal risk of such a risk can give birth at home. Their pregnancy must be physiological. The midwife will not undertake the task if the expectant mother has, for example, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes or has had a complicated labor.
- The fact that a woman had previously given birth by caesarean section does not necessarily rule out a home delivery. It all depends on the reason for the cut and when and by what method it was performed. The decision is made individually, says Katarzyna Oleś, who has been delivering home births for 15 years. - It doesn't really matter whether a woman gives birth for the first time or the next time. It is even better if the mother in labor has no bad habits or prejudices from the hospital.
However, it should be remembered that unforeseen situations can happen even if the pregnancy was correct - it is not possible to predict all possible disturbances in the delivery process.
But on the other hand, childbirth is something natural for a woman's body, a physiological process for which she is prepared.
So if the expectant mother did not have he alth problems and the pregnancy is going well - the risk of complications is not high. In addition, the midwife at home is always close to the woman in labor - in a physical and mental sense - so she can notice something disturbing early and react quickly.
It must always be possible to transport the woman to the hospital (max. 30 km) . According to Katarzyna Oleś, this happens in 10% of home births. It is important to have a positive attitude towards the delivery of the woman herself, her inner strength, the certainty that she will cope (a good "birthing experience" is important here)and the belief that childbirth is something natural.
A person who feels strong anxiety, does not believe in their own strength and prefers to rely on the help of medicine and specialists should not think about giving birth at home.
Home birth - how is it in practice
- You do not need a doctor's approval for home birth, but consultation is advisable.
- Start looking for a midwife no later than 2-3 months before the birth, so that there is time to get to know each other well. If you don't know anyone like that, search on the internet at www.dobrzeurodzeni.pl.
- The cost of a home delivery is PLN 1500-2500, including 3 postpartum visits; pre-delivery appointments are additionally payable (PLN 50-60 per hour).
- The child should be examined by a pediatric neonatologist within 12 hours. Make an appointment with your doctor in advance and make sure that he will be able to come immediately if necessary.
- The apartments do not need to be specially prepared or disinfected, careful cleaning is enough. Your midwife will give you a list of the things you need (e.g. foil, towels, lignin, heater).