Home births are frequently chosen by women who want to have a birth that is as natural as possible. The more and more that the health care community has learned about birth over the years has made home births a more attractive option. Most home births are performed by midwives who are specially trained and certified in prenatal care, labor, birth and postpartum services.

The good news is that home births are considerably more economical than hospital births foregoing any expensive hospital charges. Home births frequently cost about 60% less than a traditional hospital birth.

Potential reasons for a Home Birth:

If you are interested in having a home birth as a way to save money and reduce your expenses, your pregnancy needs to be considered low risk. A home birth might be right for you if you:

• Agree with the general philosophy of a midwife which is to interventions such as episiotomies.
• You prefer a more comfortable setting which includes the presence of friends and family.
• You desire the freedom to move around, change positions, take a shower, and eat or drink freely as you feel comfortable.

Probable reasons to not have a Home Birth:

It is recommended that you opt out of having a home birth if your pregnancy is high risk. A high risk pregnancy may include any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Chronic high blood pressure, or toxemia (also known as preeclampsia)
• Previous preterm labor

You home birth experience will be accompanied by a professional that is well qualified to care for your delivery. Midwives will bring all the professional and health resources necessary to provide you with a healthy birth such as oxygen, IV’s, Fetoscopes, and medications.

What if a hospital is needed?

The good news is that in most cases a transfer to the hospital is not necessary. This is even more true for mothers that have given birth before.

You might be transfered to the hospital if you experience a complication such as premature rupture of membranes or high blood pressure.  Another reason might be if the baby is experiencing a problem or under distress.

For more information about Home Births, visit the American Pregnancy Association.