-
7/29/2019 Before Becoming a Client of Women
1/3
Before becoming a client of Women's Health and Birth Care, we
would like for you to become familiarwith your options and the
advantages and disadvantages of each. Please read the following and
feel freeto ask any questions.Advantages of home birth...
Statistics show that home birth is as safe or safer than
hospital birth for low-risk women with adequateprenatal care and a
qualified attendant.At home a woman can labor and birth in the
privacy and comfort of the familiar surroundings of her ownhome,
surrounded by loved-ones. in whatever positions and attire she
finds most comfortable.The laboring woman maintains control over
everything impacting her labor and birth. Meeting herneeds is the
only focus of all those present. Nothing is done to her without her
consent.Labor is allowed to progress normally, without interference
and unnecessary interventions.Studies show that the risk of
infection is reduced for both the mother and the baby.During labor
the woman is encouraged to eat, drink, walk, change positions, make
noise, shower, bathe,etc.
Care-givers are invited guests in the birthing woman's home. She
can have anyone she desires present:family, friends, children, etc.
Her medical team (midwife and birth assisiant) do not go home
becausetheir shift has ended or because it was supposed to be their
day off or because it is a holiday or becausethey planned something
else.She doesn't have to worry about when to go to the hospital
since her care-providers come to her.Continuous one-on-one care is
given by the midwife, providing ongoing assessment of the baby's
andmother's condition throughout the birth process and postpartum
period. Her care provider knows herwell and she knows her care
provider. They have established a trust relationship.Women are
supported through the hard work of labor, and encouraged to realize
the insights, andexperience the personal growth as a human being to
be derived from such a powerful, life-changingevent.
Bonding is enhanced and includes everyone who has contact with
the baby including neighbors andrelatives. Breast feeding is
facilitated by the baby remaining with the mother.Cesarean Section
and forceps deliveries are unavailable - transportation to the
hospital is necessary if these interventions are required. However,
rates of both, as well as episiotomy, are very low.The cost of a
home birth may be less than a hospital birth, and is often covered
by insurance if a CNM isutilized.Pregnancy and birth are viewed as
normal, natural body functions and not as an illness or
disease.
Disadvantages of home birth...
Client's must assume a greater level of responsibility for their
own health: physical, mental and spiritual.This requires active
ongoing participation in decision making in all aspects of their
care, and a willingnessto accept the consequences of those choices
and decisions.Since the hospital is the currently socially
acceptable location for birth, choosing otherwise may result
innegative judgments and lack of support.Cesarean Sections, forceps
deliveries and a nconaialogist arc not available at home, transport
isnecessary for these and other medical interventions.Personal
arrangements must be made for postpartum care, such as meals,
housekeeping, child care etc.The cost of a home birth may not be
covered by the client's insurance.Analgesics are not readily
available with a home birth.
-
7/29/2019 Before Becoming a Client of Women
2/3
Advantages of a birth center birth...
The facility is usually only provided for pregnancy and birth
events.In a birth center, pregnancy and birth is considered a
natural and healthy process.During pregnancy and birth, women arc
encouraged to take charge of their own health care.It provides an
alternative to parents not comfortable with home birth, yet do not
want to give birth in ahospital.It has many of the same advantages
as home birth, such as greater parental control,
non-interventiveobstetrical care, freedom to eat and move during
labor, and to give birth in any position, and to haveany number of
family and friends attend the birth.
The parents are usually encouraged to bring family members to
their prenatal visits.It offers personalized care at much lower
costs than traditional hospitals.In most centers, parents can meet
the entire staff prior to the birth.The rate ofCesarcan and forceps
deliveries is less than hospital.The discharge time after birth is
normally measured in hours, not days.
Disadvantages of a birth center birth...
Rigid screening criteria often eliminates healthy mothers, i.e.;
VBAC, mother over 35.The mother is still moved to birth center
during labor, and still labors away from the home environment.Many
centers have rigid rules concerning transporting of the mother to
the hospital i.e.; prolongedlabor, ruptured membranes. Mother may
have to be moved during labor.There are usually no pediatricians on
staff if the baby has special needs after the birth.The mother
cannot remain at the birth center for a two or three day rest;
discharge is usually within fourto 24 hours.
Advantages of a hospital birth...
Many mothers feel safest laboring a hospital.It is the safest
environment for the mother at risk for medical complications during
labor.Emergency personnel and equipment is available if the mother
develops complications or needs medicalattention.It avoids the rush
of a last-minute transfer to the hospital (from home or a birth
center) if medicalproblems arise.It is the only option available in
the event a cesarean section is necessary.Immediate pediatric
attention is available should the newborn need medical care. Baby
does not needto be taken off site to be routinely examined by a
pediatrician.It has round-the-clock help for the mother and baby
(food, diaper changes, medical assistance andinformation.)
Disadvantages of a hospital birth...
The parents are not on "home ground" and do not have the same
control they would at home.Hospitals are primarily associated with
illness.Hospitals can seem impersonal and intimidating.
-
7/29/2019 Before Becoming a Client of Women
3/3
As a large institution, the hospital has rules, policies and red
tape; they are rarely altered toaccommodate an individual.Less
privacy is available.The father is often less actively involved in
a hospital setting, and may fell like an "outsider".The mother's
birth is usually managed by experts trained in pathology, not
normal births.The risk of iatrogenic complications and infection to
the mother and baby is greater among motherswho deliver in
hospitals, than among those who give birth at home or in a birthing
center.The mother is at a significantly higher risk of having an
unnecessary cesarean section.Some routine separation of the mother
and baby is almost unavoidable.Most hospitals do not allow the
mother much rest.
Obstetrician (OB/GYN): A physician (doctor) who delivers babies,
and is in the practice of obstetrics the art and science of
managing pregnancy, labor, delivery and the puerperium (the time
immediatelyafter birth).
You will see your OB/GYN or members of his/her practice
throughout pregnancy, although exactly whoyour care provider will
be at delivery ultimately depends on who is on call during your
labor. Duringlabor, the obstetrician will come in and out to check
on your progress and, as the definition abovestates, manage your
labor. Obstetrics is also a surgical field, so in the case of a
cesarean, your OB/GYNwould perform the procedure.
Midwife: A midwife is a trained professional with special
expertise in supporting women through ahealthy pregnancy and birth.
Midwives also work with each woman and her family to identify
uniquephysical, social and emotional needs. When the care required
is outside of a midwifes scope of practiceor expertise, the woman
is then referred to other health care providers for additional
consultation or
care. Midwives operate from The Midwives Model of Care, which
emphasizes the fact that pregnancyand birth are normal life
processes. Midwives statistically have lower rates of
interventions, and providethe mother with individualized education,
counseling, prenatal care and postpartum support, as well
ascontinuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery.
Midwives, like doctors, may work in a group that rotates who is
on call and who will see you for yourprenatal visits. Some midwives
work alongside doctors in their practices, while some work
individually oroutside of the hospital setting. There are different
types of midwives: direct entry midwifes, certifiedprofessional
midwives, and certified nurse midwives. Depending on their
credentials and training, somemidwives work in hospitals while
others solely attend home births.
