Giving birth at home is so much more comfortable for most women who are pregnant.
You have your familiar surroundings around you and your family and friends can be there to cheer you on. During labor you are able to get up and move around.
This may not be possible if you are having your baby in the hospital.
Although having your baby at home sounds ideal, it is not advisable if you have any pre-existing conditions such as diabetic, toxemia, and preterm labor. There are also some risks that can occur while giving birth at home without previously having any problems.
Fetal Distress
There is always a possibility that the baby could go into fetal distress when you are giving birth at home. If your baby’s heart becomes very slow while you are not having contractions or if the slow heartbeat continues after a contraction your baby could be going into fetal distress.
Another sign of fetal distress is when your baby develops rapid heart rate which is caused by maternal fever. Other signs of fetal distress can happen if you are experiencing bleeding with pain that will not subside.
Cord Prolapse
Although umbilical cord prolapse is not very common it can sometimes occur. Cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord comes first before the baby and the baby’s neck gets wrapped in the cord. If this happens your baby will not be able to breathe very well and it will also affect the blood flow to your baby.
This usually occurs along with the amniotic sac getting ruptured. If you are giving birth at home this could be life threatening to you and your baby. If your baby loses too much oxygen then they could have brain damage.
You will need someone there that is skilled in this kind of emergency. Although your midwife may try to handle this problem, usually an ambulance will have to be called and you will have to go through a caesarean section.
Hemorrhaging
Hemorrhaging can start right after you give birth to your baby. When your baby is delivered your uterus keeps on contracting. This contracting is supposed to make your blood vessels where the placenta used to be quit their bleeding.
In certain cases the uterus will not contract as strong as it should and your blood vessels will not stop their bleeding. This is called hemorrhaging.
You can also get this kind of bleeding when the entire placenta does not come loose from your uterus. Hemorrhaging can be very dangerous for you. There are several conditions that may put you at a greater risk for hemorrhaging.
If you and your partner decide that giving birth at home is what you would like to do then make sure that you are prepared for any emergency that may arise. Being prepared is the way to having a safe and comfortable birth.
