Articles New Parents Need To Know
The Pros and Cons of Homebirth, Birth Centers, and Hospitals

The act of having a baby is a day of great strength and passion. Where and how you choose to have this experience can either enhance or diminish the emotional and health outcome. Please read this and choose carefully which birthplace is best for you to have a positive, healthy birth.

ADVANTAGES OF HOMEBIRTH
*Statistics show homebirth to be as safe, if not safer, with a qualified attendant, for low risk, healthy women than out of home births. Studies also show that mother and baby infection risk is reduced.
*Woman has the privacy and comfort of familiar surroundings, with her loved ones, moving how and wearing what, and eating/drinking what she pleases.
*The laboring woman maintains control over everything impacting her birth. Nothing is done without her consent and her needs are the only focus, rather than meeting than needs of hospital staff, routines, or policies.
*Labor is allowed to progress normally, without unnecessary interventions and interference
*Caregivers are invited guests in the womans home and they respect that this is her birth. Medical team do not go home because their shift has ended, or it was their day off or holiday, or because they had other plans
*She doesn't have the worry of when to leave because the caregivers come to her
*Her caregiver knows her well and they have a relationship of trust. Continues care is provided prenatally, throughout the birth process with support and health assessment, and postpartum.
*Labor supporters aren't self conscious and don't feel awkward in the home. They are also familiar w/the surroundings
*Women are supported through labor, encouraged to realize insights, and experience the personal growth labor brings
*Bonding is enhanced and includes everyone who has contact. Breastfeeding is enhanced by baby remaining w/mom

DISADVANTAGES OF HOMEBIRTH
*Woman must assume greater responsibility which requires ongoing self education and a willingness to accept limitations
*May encounter negative judgments and lack of support from others for choosing a homebirth
*Transport is necessary for medical interventions i.e. cesarean, certain forceps delivery, neonatolgist assistance
*Cost of homebirth may not be covered by insurance

ADVANTAGES OF BIRTH CENTER
*Facility is strictly for pregnancy and birth events and is considered a natural, healthy process
*Provides an alternative for those not comfortable with hospital or homebirth
*Offers greater parental control, non-interventive obstetretical care, freedom to do as the woman pleases
*Offers personalized care (may know caregiver well) at lower cost than hospital and may be covered by insurance
*Rate of cesarean and forceps are decreased from hospital and postpartum discharge is measured in hours, not days

DISADVANTAGES OF BIRTH CENETER
*Rigid screening criteria often eliminates healthy mothers i.e. VBAC, mothers over 35, etc
*Mother still labors out of the home environment and has to travel during labor
*Many have rigid standards for hospital transport i.e. prolonged labor, ruptured membranes, etc
*Still have to transport for medical interventions i.e. cesarean, neonatolgist, etc.
*Postpartum discharge is measured in hours, not days

ADVANTAGES OF HOSPITAL BIRTH
*For a sick, high-risk mom, it is the safest environment
*Only option for cesarean delivery, anesthesia, and neonatolgist care
*Round the clock help for mother and baby
*Some mothers feel the safest there, insurance coverage available

DISADVANTAGES OF HOSPITAL BIRTH
*Parents are not on home ground and do not have the same control - can be intimidating for labor supporters
*Father is less likely to be actively involved and may feel like an outsider
*Some routine separation of mother and baby is almost unavoidable, Bonding and breastfeeding may not be as easy.
*Labor and birth is managed by patholgists who were taught to see birth as potentially dangerous and life threatening
*Higher risk of unnecessary interventions, cesareans, doctor caused complications, infections, and death
*Less privacy and choice, harder to have an emotional or spiritual experience.
*Most hospitals do not allow the mother much rest or supporters to stay overnight.
*Cared for by virtual strangers, in a foregin environment, at higher costs

**New**
This group has just started, and I'm one of the Labor Doulas associated with this group. I have my picture, and a little information about my Certification through DONA and CAPPA. I hope you will visit this website and let me know what you think!
About our name…
September -
is the ninth month, with nine letters that symbolize so many things we all believe in such as Support, Education, Pregnancy, Tenderness, Encouragement, Mothering, Birth, Embrace and Relax.

http://www.septemberborn.8m.net/