As the time to give birth gets closer, it's very important for women to consider where they want to give birth.  Fortunately, in the world today, women have many choices.  Here is a run-down of the advantages and disadvantages of one birthing location - the home.

The Advantages of Home Birthing

Most women who choose a home birth rave about the experience.  Why?  Home births allow the woman to dictate the type of environment that she wants to have for the birth.  The birth feels more natural and less sterile.  The woman can play soothing music, rent a birthing pool , select the position for the birth and the labor , and so on.  Many women feel pressured in a hospital setting to stay in the bed, as the nurse might desire, or to take medication that is offered.  These are not such pressing issues at home, and the birthing woman can feel more in control of her own birth.  Some women might even end up taking medication in the hospital, even if they weren't planning to, because it's there and it's offered.  At home, these pressures and temptations are not present, and this allows the woman to stay committed to having a natural childbirth experience.  The woman is also assisted by a midwife or birth assistant, people who are committed to helping her to have a beautiful birth at home. They don't suddenly leave because their shift has ended; they are there for the duration of the labor and they want to help the woman to achieve her goal.

There are a number of studies and statistics that support home births as well.  Some statistics show that home births are safer than hospital births for low-risk women who have had decent prenatal, care and who have a qualified midwife or birthing assistant with them.  Similarly, some studies have shown that the there is a reduced risk of infection with a home birth both for the mother and the baby.  Certainly, there is something to be said for cuddling with your baby right after delivery, for as long as you want to, in your own bed and your own environment.

 The Disadvantages of Home Birthing

Along with those who advocate home births, there are, of course, others who see it as a negative option.  Obviously, should the woman start to have any problems, and need a Caesarean section, a forceps delivery or a neonatologist, those things are not available at home.  Should she need these services, or others, she would have to be quickly transferred to a hospital setting.  Many people would find this very unsettling in the middle of a birth, and would argue that it makes more sense to give birth at a hospital, where these services are available.  Some women find it more relaxing to be away from the house for a few days after a birth.  If there are other kids at home, the mother doesn't necessarily get a grace period of rest if she's given birth in the home.  She'll need to make sure to immediately have...

Until the beginning of the 20^th century, the vast majority of births in the United States took place at home. It was not until the 1920's and '30's that hospital birth was considered to be an option for the general public. Jimmy Carter, born in 1924, was the first U.S. President born in a hospital.

From Home to Hospital

This shift from birth at home to hospital was partly due to the advent of the automobile, which made it easier to transport a laboring woman to the hospital.  Another factor which contributed to the change in birth place was physicians promotion of hospital birth. It was economically advantageous to have many women gathered in one place together (the hospital) to be cared for by one physician. Simple birth related jobs that didn't require the skill of a trained physician, such as comforting the laboring woman and checking her pulse and vital signs could be done by low paid assistants. Physicians also pressured legislatures to restrict or make illegal the practice of midwifery in many U.S. states. In addition, the claim that hospital birth is safer than home birth created a general fear of homebirth.

Warm and Familiar

Among the majority of cultures around the world, birth is considered a natural family event which takes place in the warm, comfortable and supportive home environment.  Where better to go through the challenging experience of labor and delivery than among your closest loved ones, in familiar and welcoming surroundings? Where better to succumb fully to the "nesting instinct" that so many women have close to the onset of labor ?

What is it Like?

Imagine the beginning of labor. You would like to relax a bit in the bathtub (if your water has not broken ) or shower. Perhaps you would like to sit in a comfortable chair and listen to music. Maybe you are a bit hungry and would like a little something to eat. How about a walk in the garden or around the block? Then, as labor progresses and the birth becomes imminent, you lie down in your own warm and welcoming bed. Imagine wrapping that amazing new being in a warm, soft, freshly laundered baby blanket. After the birth,  your husband stays with you for as long as you both desire. If you have older children, imagine them joining in this incredible feeling of joy and thankfulness that your baby has finally arrived. In contrary to this, if you had planned a hospital birth, you would have been  packing a bag frantically with a few essentia...