WHEN IS COMMUNITY-BASED BIRTH A GOOD OPTION?

Choosing to birth at home means accepting a high level of personal responsibility. Self-motivated individuals are willing to make necessary changes in their lives to ensure the best possible outcome.

Changes may involve nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, devoting time for prenatal care and education, and avoiding substances that may harm the developing baby. Our care is designed to assist families in meeting these responsibilities. Time must be spent to prepare your home and family for the birth beyond simply gathering birth supplies. Clients must meet several medical and non-medical criteria to be accepted.

Our requirements for home birth include but are not limited to: Participation in childbirth classes or private instruction on the use of non-pharmacologic methods of managing labor discomforts, and the postpartum care of mother and newborn.

We ask that you work to achieve optimal nutrition for both mother and baby’s sake. We require that mother be a non-smoker by the second trimester in a non-smoking environment

Fostering a supportive physical and emotional environment for the chosen place of birth includes:

Careful choice and preparation of support persons.

Selection of a support person for each sibling that will be attending the birth.

Arrange for competent help with household care for 48-72 hours after birth.

Obtain recommended supplies for the birth and aftercare in advance of the due date.

Plan to breast feed immediately after birth.

Agree to transfer of care to a physician for herself or her baby if the midwife feels it is necessary.

Client and partner must both be comfortable with the birth plan.

Assume financial responsibility for services rendered.

Health Criteria

The physical exam and lab tests of clients must be within normal limits which are defined as no evidence of the following:

Chronic hypertension
Epilepsy or seizure disorder
HIV positive
Severe psychiatric disease
Persistant anemia
Diabetes
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Endocrine disease
Multiple gestation
Substance abuse

Waterbirth

We are frequently asked if we offer water birth. Our answer is yes, given the right circumstances, we do offer water immersion for labor and birth. Is highly rated by mothers – typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again. Is highly rated by experienced providers. Some advantages:

Water immersion may speed up labor
Gives mother more feelings of control
Provides moderate pain relief
Promotes relaxation , conserving maternal energy
Enables the mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labor and birth
Gives mother a private protected space

What is the water temperature?

We monitor both the water temperature and mother’s body temperature in response to immersion. Usually water temperature is between 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures may increase the mother’s temperature causing baby to overheat. Signs of overheating include baby’s heart rate above 165. Plenty of water to drink and cold cloths for the mother’s face and neck provide comfort. A cool facial mist from a spray bottle is a welcome relief for some mothers as well.

How long is baby in the water after the birth?

We bring the baby’s face out of the water within ten seconds of birth. Physiologically there is no reason to leave the baby under the water for any length of time. While the placenta is supporting the baby with oxygen during this time it can never be predicted when the placenta will begin to separate causing the flow of oxygen to baby to stop.

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