Home Birth

Hospitals have long been the standard way to have a baby, however in recent years there has been a growth in the number of new parents who wish to have their baby in their own homes. The reasons for women opting for a home birth over a hospital are varied; take a look at some of the answers below:

• Many women explain that a home birth is much more comfortable than a hospital and claim that it is a lot less stressful for their new born.
  
  
• Some prefer a home birth because of the security and feeling of familiarity they have with their own home.
  
  
• Some women opt for a home birth instead of a hospital simple because they do not with to conform to hospital rules and regulations.
  
  
• Hospitals can at times be intimidating places; a home birth is more comfortable and private.
  
  
• A home birth affords the opportunity for the whole family to get involved in the birth; this is not always possible in a hospital environment.

The general theme being adopted by mothers opting for a home birth over hospitals is that they prefer the control they have at a home birth. The midwife and doctors are effectively guests in their homes, this helps to create a bond. A lot of women who opt for a home birth complain that a hospital birth lacks the love and attention to detail which can be achieved from home. Many suggest that despite the exceptional job done by delivery units all over the country, there is still a general feeling that you are literally pushed from room to room and prodded by strangers at every turn. A home birth is different as it is done in your house and on your terms, besides the food is often better at a home birth.

One of our favorite stories about a home birth details a woman who really wanted to involve her two other children in the birth of their sibling. The children were eight and ten; however the hospital would not allow them into the delivery room, despite her protestations and requests. When the woman came across the idea of a home birth, she thought is was a wonderful way to overcome the problem.

She arranged the home birth with her Doctor and midwife. They carried out a number of checks to make sure it was suitable. Once approved, the woman went to work planning how to include her two other children in the process of the home birth. Ultimately, the involvement was about building a bond between her existing children and her new born. When the woman was in the labor, her two other children were with their father helping to make birthday cake. When the baby was born, they were all able to be close to each other and share the experience, plus they got to eat birthday cake and sip champagne.

A home birth is not for everyone, however if you are looking for something different that can develop an unbreakable bond within a family, you may not find a better choice.

Read more of our articles on home birth

Home Birth - The Only Natural Way to Give Birth
Unassisted Home Births and Planning in Advance