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Home Birth

For centuries woman gave birth in the comfort of their own homes with midwives at their sides.  But a change started in the beginning of the 20th century.  Women started giving birth in hospitals with the aid of obstetricians.  Today about 2% of women have home births.  However studies show that a carefully planned homebirth with a competent practitioner can be safer than a hospital birth. 

Home birth might be an option for you if:

• You are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy
• You want to avoid episiotomy, cesarean section, epidural and other interventions
• You want to be surrounded by family and friends
• You want to be free to move around, change positions, take a shower, and eat or drink freely during labor
• You want to enjoy the comforts of home and familiar surroundings  

Home birth is not for you if:

• You are diabetic
• You have chronic high blood pressure, or toxemia (also known as pre-eclampsia)
• You have experienced preterm labor in the past, or may be at risk for preterm labor now
• You have other medical issues that may complicate your labor
• Your partner does not fully support your decision to give birth at home

 

Local Homebirth Midwives

Jan Eklund, Registered Midwife

 

Bethany Steed	Lori Wilson
Carol Webb	Merrie MacDowell
Dana Savage	Pamela Crowl
Dottie Kirkpatrick	Susie Trujillo
Jessica Nipp	Laura Luckett