Normal childbirth at home: what needs to be prepared?

Giving birth at home normally is often the dream of mothers because they want to avoid the tense atmosphere in the hospital. Each method of giving birth at home or in the hospital has its own pros and cons. So, is this normal home birth method safe to do? Come on, find out through the following reviews.

Choosing a normal home delivery, safe or not?

Normal delivery at home orhome birth is one method of delivery that is being loved by pregnant women.

Simply put,home birthis the process of giving birth at home which is done by the decision of the pregnant mother herself.

Water birthalso included in this, because it is usually done at home.

On the other hand, the types of labor that can also be applied are gentle birth and hypnobirth.

This method of childbirth is claimed to make pregnant women calmer and more comfortable during childbirth.

The calmer the feeling of the pregnant woman, the less pain during childbirth is said to be less.

But the next question is, is childbirth at home safe?

Actually, the process of giving birth at home can run safely and smoothly as long as pregnant women do not experience certain complications.

However, regardless of the process home births are still more risky than pregnant women giving birth in a hospital or maternity clinic.

This is because when a normal childbirth is done at home, it will be more difficult to get help if at any time there are complications.

The benefits and risks of having a normal home delivery

The preparation for childbirth that you need when giving birth at home and in the hospital is certainly different.

Unfortunately, until now, implementing the normal way of giving birth at home or home birth still triggers the pros and cons with the benefits and risks it offers.

Benefits of giving birth normally at home

The following are the benefits that pregnant women can get if they give birth alone at home with the help of a doctor or midwife:

Increase the intimacy of mother and baby

By giving birth at home, mothers can breastfeed their babies immediately. This can even prevent bleeding as well as provide more antibodies to the baby's body through breast milk.

Give birth in a comfortable way

Giving birth at home will take you away from the scary and painful impression of a hospital.

This is one of the reasons why the method of giving birth at home is often applied.

Save cost

Of course, the cost of a home delivery will be much lower than that of a hospital delivery.

The reason is, the cost of childbirth at the hospital sometimes includes the cost of staying in a room and so on.

The risk of the mother giving birth alone at home

Even though the benefits may seem tantalizing, giving birth alone at home also has risks that you need to be aware of.

As you already know, conditions in your own home and in the hospital are certainly different.

The hospital has more complete medical facilities and equipment than at home.

If later there are complications or obstacle to childbirth, doctors can take action to save the mother and the fetus.

Meanwhile, if the delivery is done at home, this is certainly difficult to do. As a result, the safety of the mother and the fetus could be threatened.

That is why, even if the mother decides to give birth at home, she still needs assistance from a doctor, midwife, or doula.

Yes, implementing the method of giving birth at home still cannot be done with the help of a health professional.

This is because giving birth alone without assistance at home will be very risky for both mother and baby.

In addition, doctors and midwives can also prepare medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, intravenous lines, or other medicines in case of a medical emergency.

The hope is that the normal home delivery process can run smoothly so that the mother and baby are in good health and safety.

Preparation if you want to give birth at home

If your pregnancy is considered healthy with a low risk, it is possible that your doctor will give you the option of having a normal delivery, including at home.

There are many considerations that you have to think about considering the risk factors for failure and successful delivery at home are just as great.

Surely, you want what's best for you and your baby, right?

If the results of consideration are mature and choose to have a home delivery, there may be other concerns.

Like whether it is safe to give birth at home? Do you need a midwife or doctor? How do you anticipate the risks that arise?

For that, here are various preparations for childbirth at home:

1. Find as much info as possible

Find the right midwife to assist with your delivery. Basically, they are taught to help with the birth process as well as to minimize the occurrence of complications that have the potential to appear suddenly.

If you want to deliver at home, the midwife is the right person to help with the birth process.

2. Select an experienced midwife or doctor

When choosing a midwife or doctor who will help you, you should also know the track record of the midwife or doctor in assisting the delivery process later.

Make sure the practitioner has an assistant who will assist with the delivery process.

3. Ensure that practitioners are alert and have qualified equipment

Ask detailed questions about possible cases that will be encountered during the birth process.

The doctor or midwife must have sufficient knowledge as well as complete equipment needed for babies and mothers.

It is better if midwives and doctors also have and prepare emergency medicines and other tools to help with the birth process, especially with the risk of childbirth complications.

When childbirth complications occur and are difficult to treat if you are just at home, you still need to be referred to the hospital.

4. Have an emergency plan

Quoted from Pregnancy Birth Baby, if you choose a midwife, the midwife must have a medical connection with a doctor or hospital.

This is one way if the normal home delivery does not go as planned.

Make sure doctors and hospitals know about your medical history and they are willing to accept emergencies that occur at any time.

This condition is certainly very much avoided by expectant mothers, but preparations are still mandatory.

5. Determine where and who will accompany the delivery process

The location and distance of delivery from the hospital are very influential and must be taken into account if you really want to give birth at home.

That way, if there is an emergency, you can immediately be given help to the hospital.

Regarding who will accompany you to give birth, there are actually no definite rules.

This depends on the desire and the comfort of the required birthing atmosphere.

6. Make sure to do a test or health check

Having a normal home delivery tends to have a higher risk than giving birth in a hospital.

So, you are advised to carry out health checks and tests before and after childbirth.

In order to simplify the process and how to give birth at home, mothers can make efforts by doing natural induction or eating food so that they give birth quickly.

7. Make sure the equipment is sufficient

Unlike in a hospital, you will need to prepare some supplies for a home delivery.

This is needed so that midwives can carry out their duties as much as possible.

Some of the equipment that is usually needed is several types of alcohol, several types of cotton, sheets, plastic as mattress pads, towels, blankets, plastic trash, and others.

In addition, mothers also need to consult midwives and doctors who will handle normal delivery at home on their own.

Get the supplies you need at least three weeks before birth.

8. Understand the risks of having a normal home delivery

The risk of death for babies born at home is twice that of babies born in hospital.

You can lose time and energy traveling to the hospital if complications arise at home.

Mothers who give birth normally at home are more likely to experience problems such as bleeding during and after childbirth.

Take this into account before a normal home delivery

Actually, every pregnant woman has the right to choose whatever delivery process she wants.

However, this is of course also adjusted to the health conditions of the mother and fetus.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, you can only give birth at home with the following conditions:

The mother is in good health and is not at risk of complications.
Want to reduce or even avoid episiotomy, epidurals, or other interventions.
Never had a cesarean delivery or preterm labor before.
Want to be able to give birth in the most comfortable position.
Feel more comfortable and calm if you give birth at home.

This means that this method of childbirth should not be used for mothers who have pregnancy complications, certain health problems, or other high-risk medical conditions.

Mothers also should not do normal childbirth at home alone without the help of a doctor or midwife, even if they are assisted by their husbands.

Mothers giving birth normally at home assisted by their husbands still need help from doctors and midwives in order to expedite the delivery process.

Again, make sure you have permission from your obstetrician before deciding to have a home birth.