Homebirth FAQs

Homebirth and Waterbirth FAQ

Thank you for visiting this page! If you are planning a homebirth or are a concerned family member or friend, you will find answers to most of your questions here. Families that have chosen homebirth are oftentimes overwhelmed by the many questions they receive about their choice. Consider that you are not the only one asking them these questions and they may be left feeling defensive and unsupported. If your questions are not answered here please connect with me directly and I will answer them for you.

What is homebirth?

Evidenced Based Birth explains who chooses homebirth, the parameters for safety, with statistics and plenty of links.

Is Homebirth safe?

Planned home birth: benefits, risks, and opportunities.

Outcomes of planned home birth and registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician

A new era of home birth research: Science and Sensibility

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the governing body for standards of care for doctors. Known as ACOG, they refer to this study: …”It seems increasingly clear that impatience and easy access to many medical procedures at hospital may lead to increased levels of intervention which in turn may lead to new interventions and finally to unnecessary complications. In a planned home birth assisted by an experienced midwife with collaborative medical back up in case transfer should be necessary these drawbacks are avoided while the benefit of access to medical intervention when needed is maintained.”

A landmark study compares planned hospital birth versus planned homebirth.

This study compares postpartum hemorrhage between planned home birth against planned hospital birth, observational study of over 500,000 maternities in the UK.

How is a midwife trained?

There are different types of midwives: nurse-midwives, Traditional midwives, and direct-entry midwives. Midwifery training can vary depending on the type of midwife a person wants to become. Training can include college, apprenticeships, or nurse based programs. They are trained in well-woman care and labor and delivery care. Direct Entry Midwives receive extensive education and must pass the NARM exam to become a Certified Professional Midwife, which is the route Lisa Marie chose. She attended the National College of Midwifery, where she also serves as a Preceptor. She received, and continues to receive, additional training and mentoring from world-renowned waterbirth expert midwife Barbara Harper. She is also licensed through the California Medical Board.

What supplies do midwives use?

We supply everything a birthing person and their partner need to have a healthy and safe natural homebirth. During prenatal wellness checks and throughout labor and delivery, most midwives use the following:

Fetoscope and Doppler to monitor the baby.
Sphygmomanometer for checking blood pressure.
Stethoscope for heart rate monitoring.
Hemoglobinometer for monitoring iron levels.
Topical and injectable anesthetics for suturing.
Thermometer for temperature checks.
Sterile instruments for suturing.
Homeopathic and herbal remedies.
Medications for hemorrhaging.
Oxygen tank and resuscitation bags/masks.
Suctioning device for removing mucus from the baby’s airways.
Injectable/oral Vitamin K.
Erythromycin eye ointment.

Lisa Marie also carries a Rebozo, a Kaya birth stool, a blow-up neck pillow, knee pads, a TENS unit, flashlights, light for the birthing pool, and other miscellaneous items that can assist during a natural homebirth.

Regarding waterbirth

Water birth, sometimes called gentle birth, encourages labor and delivery in a tub of warm water, which serves as an external womb which can reduce trauma for the baby.

Check out The Science and Safety of Water Immersion by Barbara Harper.

Watch one of our water births here: Annalisa births Lucia

Immersion in water in labor and birth

Birthing pools and deep baths have been used for this delivery method. Waterbirth offers flexibility to birthing mothers as they can change positions easily, and privacy helps women to open up with ease. Others may choose to have their waterbirths at birth centers that offer this option.

What is a doula, and do I need one?

Doulas are trained natural homebirth companions who provide support and encouragement to the birthing person and her partner. The main priority of a doula is to help the birth mother feel safe and comfortable, complementing the role of the midwife. We require all first-time natural homebirths to use the services of a doula. You can use this resource to find a doula.

What are some reasons a birthing person or newborn might require transport to a hospital?

During a planned natural homebirth, the birthing person may require transport to a hospital for monitoring or treatment if complications develop. Your midwife may recommend transfer under the following circumstances:

Your labor is not progressing.
Your baby shows signs of distress.
Your baby presents in a position other than headfirst.
You experience bleeding or unsafe high blood pressure readings.
You require pain relief (more common with first-time birth mothers).

Your midwife will discuss possible birthing scenarios and their outcomes during your 36-week training session.

Here is an article on Best Practice Guidelines: Transfer from Planned Homebirth to Hospital

Who can attend the planned homebirth?

Anyone the birthing person wishes to have as part of their support system can attend the birth. As part of our prenatal services, we discuss relationship dynamics because these can have both a negative and positive effect on the birthing person. We recommend anyone who plans to attend the natural homebirth participates in the three-hour prenatal training session we provide at 36 weeks.

How much does home birth cost?

Our concierge-style care includes everything, including labs, tubs, birth kit, prenatal and postpartum, care. Clients do not receive additional charges or discounts for a shorter or longer labor and delivery experiences. We accept payments via several convenient methods. Most midwives in Southern California charge between $6000-$10,000, depending on multiple factors.

What role should men play in the natural birth process?

Men play an important role both in the prenatal time as well as the birthing process. . We believe that men can serve as the main support for their partners during labor and delivery. Check out episode 52 of the Evidence Based Birth podcast for a more in-depth explanation.

Some people do not have partners and we are very sensitive to the special invitations that this can provide. We create a team that will attempt to meet her needs

barefootmidwife

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#waterbirth expert
Trauma-informed natural birth educator & activist.
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Lisa Marie Oxenham, LM, CPM & Richard Oxenham, Student Midwife