Studies have consistently shown that planned homebirths, attended by experienced midwives, have excellent outcomes, for both mothers and babies. When compared to equal numbers of hospital births, homebirths result in fewer birth injuries, fewer infections and fewer maternal and neonatal deaths.
At home, the mother remains more relaxed and she can move about freely, following her natural instincts in giving birth. In nature, animals seek out a quiet, private and familiar place to give birth; their labors stop if disturbed. Human birth, too, is impeded by bright lights and busy strangers.
Midwives' care costs less than doctors', with no additional hospital and nursery charges. Most families can save thousands of dollars. Paying a midwife out-of-pocket is often less expensive than the cost of insurance premiums, deductible requirements, and co-payments.
The waste generated by a hospital birth is tremendous. A homebirth creates far less waste, usually just a small sack of garbage and one load of laundry. Choosing a homebirth is a very real way of lessening your impact on our precious natural resources.
Midwives see birth as a beautiful, natural process that brings great joy to a family. Rather than being a routine, clinical event, the experience of homebirth becomes a very special highlight of a woman's life. The wondrous event of birth is best celebrated in the warm, close, intimate atmosphere of the home, rather than a busy medical facility.
