Costs 68% less (uncomplicated vaginal birth). Midwife charges $900-$1200 for the visit whereas hospitals cost $1988 (vaginal) and $2498 (c-section)X Lower risk of low birth weight
X Lower rate of mortality (even with high risk cases)
X The skilled midwife and a non-medicine approach is safer
X Can feel quite natural with good preparation
X They believe that any intervention such as drugs or rushing the mother cause more harm than good
X Mother can deliver in any position she wants
X Very low rate of cesarean sections because most home births are kept low risk through good care
X Full family participation
X Babies put directly to the chest because breastfeeding stimulates the uterus and causes contractions which close off blood vessels and reduces bleeding
X Midwife may not get there in time
X With water births, a temperature above 37C could cause an increase in
the mother's body temperature which in turn could cause brain damage
X Unprepared emergencies
X Technology and equipment
X Sterile environment
X Emergency care
X Controlled environment
X Western medication
X More socially acceptable
X Bright lights and loud environment in delivery room can cause baby to shut down
X Infections are more common
X Increase chances of c-section: risks-(to mom) infection, blood loss, decreased bowel function, respiratory complications, reactions to anesthetics (to baby) premature birth, breathing problems, low APGAR scores, fetal injury
X Drugs used during birth can cause more crying, greater unresponsiveness, and have been shown to be linked with dyslexia, drug addiction, and behavioral problems later in life
X More likely to experience post-partum depression (68% vs 16%)
X Rate of fetal distress, maternal hemorrhage and limp babies is higher