Hello fellow science-minded parents!
My spouse and I are discussing trying to get pregnant with our second child. As part of that discussion, we are contemplating if home birth would be a suitable option. There are a number of personal reasons why we are considering this, but none of them are related to anti-science or anti-medical establishment sentiments. With that said, the current scientific literature on US home birth is sparse. I would like help collecting, reviewing, and applying what current studies are available in order to make a better informed decision. Below I have included details from our life that can act as a case study of sorts to aid in discussion and application.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not interested in anecdotes or scary stories. However, I understand that some statistics related to infant mortality are inherently fear inducing. I believe those types of details are acceptable and a necessary part of the discussion.
Case Study:
• Mother has 1 prior uncomplicated L&D at local hospital
• Mother has no underlying health conditions and is under the age of 35
• Mother successfully breastfed previous baby with intentions to breastfeed the 2nd. Bottles would be easily accessible as backup.
• Distance:
-3 miles from local hospital (7 minutes at speed limit)
-.4 miles from fire station (2 min drive)
-50 miles to one of the nation's leading children's hospitals (local hospital has a helipad)
• Mother plans to follow basic guidelines for care through pregnancy (2 ultrasounds, screenings for GD, anemia, etc., routinely check BP and fetal heart rate), and would change to a hospital birth if anything indicates an expected complication.
• Family would be hiring a certified professional midwife and the assistant midwife-in-training
-Both birthing professionals have multi year experience
-They are part of a larger, long standing midwifery practice located about 30 minutes away
-They are trained and experienced in adult & infant resuscitation, nuchal cords, suturing, and administering IV medication for hemorrhaging
-They provide follow up care of infant and mother in days/weeks following birth
-There is a continuous education/training model for this particular midwifery practice
• Family is already established with a pediatric practice. New baby would be seen by a doctor within 24-48 hours.
One source that may be a useful jumping off point:
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clini...e-opinion/articles/2017/04/planned-home-birth
I look forward to reading through your findings and the resulting discussions!
EDIT: I am struggling with mobile formatting. I apologize.
My spouse and I are discussing trying to get pregnant with our second child. As part of that discussion, we are contemplating if home birth would be a suitable option. There are a number of personal reasons why we are considering this, but none of them are related to anti-science or anti-medical establishment sentiments. With that said, the current scientific literature on US home birth is sparse. I would like help collecting, reviewing, and applying what current studies are available in order to make a better informed decision. Below I have included details from our life that can act as a case study of sorts to aid in discussion and application.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not interested in anecdotes or scary stories. However, I understand that some statistics related to infant mortality are inherently fear inducing. I believe those types of details are acceptable and a necessary part of the discussion.
Case Study:
• Mother has 1 prior uncomplicated L&D at local hospital
• Mother has no underlying health conditions and is under the age of 35
• Mother successfully breastfed previous baby with intentions to breastfeed the 2nd. Bottles would be easily accessible as backup.
• Distance:
-3 miles from local hospital (7 minutes at speed limit)
-.4 miles from fire station (2 min drive)
-50 miles to one of the nation's leading children's hospitals (local hospital has a helipad)
• Mother plans to follow basic guidelines for care through pregnancy (2 ultrasounds, screenings for GD, anemia, etc., routinely check BP and fetal heart rate), and would change to a hospital birth if anything indicates an expected complication.
• Family would be hiring a certified professional midwife and the assistant midwife-in-training
-Both birthing professionals have multi year experience
-They are part of a larger, long standing midwifery practice located about 30 minutes away
-They are trained and experienced in adult & infant resuscitation, nuchal cords, suturing, and administering IV medication for hemorrhaging
-They provide follow up care of infant and mother in days/weeks following birth
-There is a continuous education/training model for this particular midwifery practice
• Family is already established with a pediatric practice. New baby would be seen by a doctor within 24-48 hours.
One source that may be a useful jumping off point:
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clini...e-opinion/articles/2017/04/planned-home-birth
I look forward to reading through your findings and the resulting discussions!
EDIT: I am struggling with mobile formatting. I apologize.