|
Women who chose to have a Homebirth are the minority in Australia (close to 700 per year), probably because it can be expensive and difficult so it’s generally chosen by a passionate few. The UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands have homebirth rates of approximately 30%.
Why choose a home birth?
Women who choose to have their babies at home are generally looking to avoid all the things that can come with the sterile, medical environment of a hospital. These include induction, drugs for pain relief and different people coming in and out of the birthing room during their labour.
Home births allow women to move freely in a place they feel safe, comfortable and free form intervention. Once the baby arrives he is able to settle into his new environment and begin bonding with his new family immediately.
Pain Relief Options
Walking, massage, Tens machine, immersion in water, shower and aromatherapy are some of the techniques used to manage labour. Some midwives may have a portable gas cylinder as an option if you would like to have gas (nitrous oxide & oxygen) on hand but you should enquire about this before booking.
Where to start
When you become aware of your pregnancy you can discuss your desire to have a homebirth with your GP. They should be able to assist you with finding a private midwife in your local area but don’t be surprised if they are opposed to the idea. Your local hospital may be able to give you some information. Below is a list of resources that can help you further.
Safety and home birth
Homebirth midwives have equipment such as oxygen, suction and drugs to control bleeding after birth, but don’t offer drugs for pain relief.
Homebirth midwives follow the Referral Guidelines of the Australian College of Midwives and are educated and experienced to decide and inform the mother if and when outside assistance is required. If this is the case services of a hospital or an obstetrician are available and it is generally recommended to make a back-up booking at your local public hospital. A woman can either be taken to the hospital by the midwife or by ambulance if there is an emergency, where the midwife is able to assist as your support person, but not usually able to continue to be your midwife.
What costs are involved?
Some private health insurers in Australia cover the costs of homebirth and private midwife services. You may be eligible for a publicly funded Community Midwifery Program or a hospital-based homebirth service but you must be considered low-risk.
Costs will depend on the individual midwife you choose and the area you live in and can range from $3000 to $5000 which includes antenatal care, the homebirth and postnatal care.
When you go into labour
Depending on how your labour begins, you will be left to keep active and make yourself comfortable at home according to your birth plan until the you and the midwife feel the labour has progressed far enough that the midwife is needed.
The first stage of labour when it is important to keep active and may be the time to prepare the area for giving birth, this could be a comfortable chair, a mattress, with plastic sheeting, towels, water, whatever else is required. Alternatively this may have been prepared for some time as the nesting could have started days ago! Some women choose to hire a birth pool where they can have a water birth or just spend the labour immersed in water for relaxation and pain relief.
See Pregnancy Care Options for information on how your routine scans and tests are performed during pregnancy if you chose to have a homebirth.
After your baby is born
The midwife will stay with you for several hours to monitor you and your baby and assist you with breastfeeding. She will also weigh and measure your baby when you are ready. She will then visit your daily and maintain contact to check on you less frequently as your recovery progresses and you gain confidence.
For more information here are some useful links:
Joyous Birth - The Australian Homebirth Network
Homebirth Australia
Maternity Coalition
Midwives in Private Practice
|
