If you?re on the fence, it?s important to know that, while home birth is an option for most families, there are some situations in which a midwife would likely advise against having your baby at home. We asked Hava Glick, a Toronto midwife, what makes you a good candidate?and what rules you out.
You can consider a home birth if?
1. You?re having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy.
If your midwife decides everything?s progressing well?all of your exams and lab results are normal, and you don?t have a health condition that could impact your labour?then you should be good to go.
2. You understand the risks and benefits.
There are many perks to labouring at home. But make sure you talk to your midwife and get all of your what-ifs out of the way. If you have a question about how home birth works, then don?t hesitate to ask it. 3. You want to be involved in making the decisions around your labour.
A midwife is a good option ?if you?re somebody who wants to have the opportunity to discuss your care in depth,? says Glick. Midwives generally have more time than doctors to help you decide on things like how long you can safely labour after your water breaks, and they’ll give you more one-on-one medical attention, usually staying with you for the entire labour. (Note: Midwives are not doulas. Midwives will be focused on you and your baby?s health, while a doula may provide more dedicated emotional support.)
4. You?d prefer fewer medical interventions.
If you?re trying to avoid an ...