"Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?"
This is the question asked by the film The Business of Being Born. This documentary followed the stories of women giving births in different settings, and explored the controversial issue of who women should turn to when a baby is on the way.
If you're new to the subject, here's a quick background. Back in the day, doctors or midwives would come to the mother-to-be's home and assist with the birth from there. Giving birth at home has titanically declined in the 20th century. According to the wikipedia page for Home Births, 50% of births in the US were home births in 1938. Today, that number is down to less than 1%. In Japan, home births accounted for 95% of births in 1950, but only 1.2% in 1975. (That's quite a change, in just 25 years! It's a wonder hospitals were able to adapt!) Now, its common practice to go to the hospital to give birth - most insurance companies only cover hospitalized births - and telling your friends and relatives you're planning on having your baby at home might even get a few raised eyebrows.
But there is a growing trend of women choosing to go the home birth route. This tends to be a very polarizing subject - many people on one side saying doctors know best, and as many on the other side saying doctors are in it for the money, not the patients. If you're feeling ambitions, scan through some of the comments on this CNN blog post for a glimpse at different people's opinions. Reviews of the hospital experience vary from glowing to horrific.
While it is agreed in both camps that women should receive thorough prenatal care and give birth in a hospital if there is any risk of complications, thats about where the agreement ends. Pro home-birthers say hospitals provide, at best, an uncomfortable, unpersonalized experience where the nurses and doctors try to get you in and out ASAP, at worst a restrictive, germ-filled places where nurses try to push you into procedures you don't want. On the other hand, one pro hospital woman claimed that unexpected post-birth complications could have killed her if she wasn't in hospital, and plenty of others say their hospital experience was easy, relaxed, and just fine.
So assuming you're on the road to a normal delivery without foreseeable complications, what factors should you take into account before making a decision on where to give birth? Ask yourself the following questions - they might provide that extra guidance that you need!
First off, where are you most comfortable?
Would you rather have the familiarity of home and the company of family or the reassurance of having that medical safety net there for you, just in case? Labor is a long process and it is important no matter where you choose to be that you feel comfortable and confident throughout.
Can you find a doctor/midwife that you feel confident about?
Try interviewing a few different healthcare professionals before you make your decision. It will help you get a feel for how much personal attention each person is able to give you throughout the prenatal and delivery process.
How much can you afford?
When interviewing your doctors and midwives, ask for estimates of the cost of home birth or hospital birth. Call your insurance company and ask how much of hospital delivery they will cover, and if they cover home delivery too. You may find one option to be much more affordable than the other!
How far away is the nearest hospital?
If you're considering home birth and live in an isolated area, consider how much time it would take to get to a hospital in case something unexpected comes up during delivery.
