top of page

Out-of-Hospital Birth, is it safe?

empoweringyoudoula

Things I hear when homebirth is mentioned in a conversation:


  • Your baby could die

  • I'd never do that, too risky!

  • I'll leave birth to the professionals and go to the hospital

  • I don't get how people could do that

  • That's for hippies


I'm not lying. I've heard every single one of these statements (and there's more where that came from) in real life. But what I've also found is that most people who make these statements have never even met a homebirth midwife. Never had a conversation. Don't even know one by name. They've never been to a freestanding birth center or know where one is in their area. They also have never taken a childbirth course or consulted with anyone other than the OBGYN doing their annual pap smears.


C'mon friends, lets learn more and do better.

What I am NOT saying, is that homebirth is safe for everyone. Nor am I saying that hospital birth is safe for everyone. For low-risk and uncomplicated pregnancies, homebirth may be a good option for you to consider if you are on the fence about the hospital and wanting to avoid interventions that automatically come with giving birth in a hospital setting.


Did you know that homebirth midwives in the state of Michigan can (and do) carry medicines such as misoprostol and pitocin to administer in the event of a hemorrhage? They also can carry herbs, such as arnica, and tinctures to help as well. Did you know that if you are GBS positive and decide to have IV antibiotics during labor, they can administer these to you? Do you know they carry neonatal resuscitation equipment in the event that your babe needs help?


Did you also know, you get more options, personalized care, longer appointments, AND multiple postpartum visits to check on you and baby (not just a 6-week, you-can-have-sex-again-if-you-want-visit)? Your midwives in an out-of-hospital setting are accessible to you throughout your pregnancy and you get to build an actual relationship with them during your prenatal care.


All this to say, before we knock something down, let's learn more about it. If you're curious, ASK! Talk to a homebirth midwife and see how they practice. Learn more about hospital policy and the standard of care. Decide if your birth location is able to meet your needs. Get creative and find ways to get the care and support that you need/want.


I can't wrap up this blog post without also highlighting the blatant and systemic racism that caused the shift from homebirth and midwifery care to hospital birth and OBGYNs. If you'd like to read more information of this, please see these articles and continue to research on your own:


Here are some articles on out-of-hospital birth that may interest you for more information:




Commentaires


Les commentaires ont été désactivés.
NEW_edited.jpg

empoweringyoudoula@gmail.com​

(248) 961-7304

Southeast Michigan/Metro Detroit Doula 

Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula 

Childbirth Educator

Photographer

Certified Lactation Specialist

Oakland County, Lapeer County,

Macomb County, Livingston County, Wayne County

Genessee County, Washtenaw County

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Oxford, Lake Orion, Lapeer, Metamora, Brandon Township, Ortonville, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Rochester, Waterford, Pontiac, White Lake, Holly, Milford, Commerce, Walled Lake, Keego Harbor, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Birmingham, Troy, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Southfield, Ferndale, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Hazel Park, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, Oakland Township, Armada, Romeo, Imlay City, Richmond, Washington Township, Macomb, Shelby, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Utica, Chesterfield, Redford, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Ann Arbor, Brighton, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Dryden, Hadley, Burnside, Lapeer, Columbiaville, Attica, Davison, Grand Blanc

bottom of page