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Low-risk pregnancies are not medical emergencies
I’ve recently been asked to elaborate by family and friends as to why I would want to have my next child outside of the hospital setting. I’ve gotten better at answering this question for the person who doesn’t want all the nitty gritty details, but it took me some time and research to help myself understand them, so I’ll simplify what I’ve learned, here. The simple answer is, low-risk pregnancies and deliveries are not medical emergencies.
Giving birth is not supposed to be scary; contrary to what your aunt says…
Midwives and their teams of birth experts can enlighten a woman to understand labor and delivery to the extent of enduring and enjoying the process. Relaxation techniques, environmental changes, and the right mindset can make all the difference when it comes to enduring the pain of contractions and birth itself. Sometimes the use of a doula, which is a trained labor partner who can be hired to educate and assist during labor, can be equally as helpful, even in a hospital setting.
Having a “healthy” pregnancy is sometimes not your choice
Midwives are the type of practitioners who assist women in delivering babies outside of the hospital setting. They are held to strict guidelines as to whether a pregnancy and delivery is safe to monitor without the attendance of a doctor or full medical staff. Certain pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other naturally occurring abnormalities in the woman’s body will indicate to the midwife that she should refer her patient to an OBGYN doctor to more carefully monitor and assist during the pregnancy and delivery.
Sometimes having a low-risk pregnancy is as simple as being healthy, yourself.
For those who are lucky enough to avoid the natural and unavoidable complications of pregnancy, having a low-risk pregnancy can be simple if you choose to keep yourself healthy while carrying your unborn child. Getting plenty of exercise, healthy food, rest, and keeping a healthy mental environment can lead to a situation where having a baby outside of the hospital makes sense and can provide you with the best experience possible.
Why is birthing out of the hospital better? Outcomes are statistically better.
The statistics are out there: that’s all I’m going to say, because every hospital has their own, every birth center and midwife has her own. The basic point of interest here when making the decision on where to birth, is that more times than not, hospital births can lead to the use of procedures and medical strategies which can hinder the natural process a woman’s body is made to use. Cesarean sections, induction, and use of forceps & episiotomies are a few things to consider, besides the use of pain medicines and epidural shots.
Some other reasons you may opt out of the hospital birth setting include the atmosphere you’d like to have during labor and delivery, the amount of fetal monitoring you feel comfortable with, and the number or composition of people you want in the room with you. These are factors more easily controllable within a home birth or birth center setting. You may want to use essential oil diffusers, candles, soothing music, and other personal comforts to distract from the stress of labor, some of which are not allowed in the hospital setting. You may want to sit in the bathtub, bounce on an exercise ball, do laps around the building, or snuggle with your labor partner; some hospital required monitoring simply wont allow for these luxuries to happen. Students, nurses, nurse aids, doctors, anesthesiologists, and social workers are a few of the many faces you may encounter while enduring contractions in the hospital.
Some key points to realize when making the decision on where to birth:
- What risk level is your pregnancy assigned by women’s health professionals?
- What level and strategy of pain management will you require or attempt to carryout?
- Will restrictions and hospital protocols inhibit your natural birth?
- What support team do you have in place for your labor?
- What environment have you learned is best for your labor and delivery?
- Don’t forget that your birth plan is JUST a plan. It can and will likely change. Be flexible.