Childbirth Options: What's Best?
Childbirth Options: What's Best?
Find the childbirth option that’s right for you.
ACOG strongly recommends against home birth in the following situations:
Other factors to consider include:
How quickly can you get to a hospital should you need emergency care? Be sure you can get to a hospital quickly and safely should something go wrong during childbirth.
Who will attend your birth? Most women who give birth at home work with midwives. ACOG recommends choosing a midwife who is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. When choosing a midwife, ask about her qualifications and experience, how many home births she has attended, and who her backup OB is.
What providers are available? Not all states license or regulate midwives, and in some states it is illegal for anyone but a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) to practice. Also, not all malpractice insurance will cover CNMs or other providers for home births. So depending on where you live, you may have a hard time finding a licensed or certified provider who will attend a home birth.
Only you can decide what's best for you and your baby. Enlist the advice of your OB or family doctor as well as experienced friends and family. Consider all of your options so you can choose a safe, comfortable place to greet your little one's arrival.
How Do You Want to Deliver Your Baby?
Find the childbirth option that’s right for you.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Home Birth continued...
ACOG strongly recommends against home birth in the following situations:
- You have health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- You are having twins or multiple births
- You want to attempt a VBAC
- You have a high-risk pregnancy
Other factors to consider include:
How quickly can you get to a hospital should you need emergency care? Be sure you can get to a hospital quickly and safely should something go wrong during childbirth.
Who will attend your birth? Most women who give birth at home work with midwives. ACOG recommends choosing a midwife who is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. When choosing a midwife, ask about her qualifications and experience, how many home births she has attended, and who her backup OB is.
What providers are available? Not all states license or regulate midwives, and in some states it is illegal for anyone but a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) to practice. Also, not all malpractice insurance will cover CNMs or other providers for home births. So depending on where you live, you may have a hard time finding a licensed or certified provider who will attend a home birth.
Only you can decide what's best for you and your baby. Enlist the advice of your OB or family doctor as well as experienced friends and family. Consider all of your options so you can choose a safe, comfortable place to greet your little one's arrival.
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