The Benefits of a Midwife Attended Birth at Home (Homebirth)

When a birth is at home, it becomes the intimate, private, natural process it's meant to be. Birth as a medical process in a medical facility creates little privacy or family decision making, and takes away many choices families later wish they had the freedom to make. Birth is a natural process, not an illness needing hospitalization. Giving birth at home allows mother and baby to bond as soon after birth as possible. This gives the baby the best chance for physical, emotional, and mental health. For all women without any serious medical complications during pregnancy, home birth is perfectly safe. Most importantly, the mother will be in control as a partner in her care, assisted by someone she knows– her midwife.

With West Texas Birth Services, your Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife follows the Midwives Model of Care ©. This approach is unlike using traditional obstetric care, in that it is family-centered and focuses strongly on the mother's wellbeing as an important factor in a good birth outcome. Mothers move around, change positions, relax in a warm waterbirth pool, and describe their birth experience as less painful and less stressful. In fact, they say it is the Family Event it should be.

Many women wonder why they are not informed by their doctor about the option of a midwife. This is typically due to the disinformation common in the United States, much of which originates from ACOG/AMA (a trade union representing the financial and professional interests of obstetricians/physicians). For an example of this type of disinformation, read this article by Henci Goer: The Assault on Normal Birth: The OB Disinformation Campaign and this recent news post on The Medical Establishment's Ridiculous Opposition to HomeBirths. Of course, there are a few rare medical conditions that would require the care of a high risk specialist (for some examples of these see our Frequently Asked Questions - Question #10). Nevertheless, studies upon studies have shown that planning a Midwife Led home birth with a Certified Professional Midwife is a great choice if you want to avoid unnecessary medical intervention. Midwives are experts in supporting the physiological birth process: monitoring you and your baby during labor, helping you into positions that help labor progress, protecting your pelvic parts from damage while you push, and "catching" the baby from the position that's most effective and comfortable for you – hands and knees, squatting, even standing – not the position most comfortable for the healthcare provider. When healthy women are supported this way, over 95% can give birth safely, with little or no intervention at all.

Many of the benefits of your Midwife maternity care begin with your prenatal visits. For example, your prenatal appointments are typically 30 minutes to an hour long, at our office or in the convenience of your home. The extra time spent with you serves to reinforce the personal and intimate nature of a midwife attended natural childbirth, while at the same time building a solid relationship that will enhance your birth experience. Extensive prenatal education about testing options, birth options, and holistic ways to maintain a healthy pregnancy takes place within these visits with your midwife. Your family becomes familiar with the birth team - and your midwife becomes familiar with your family, as well as your particular desires for the birth. And your family and children are always welcome at each visit.

Your midwife is available by phone 24/7 for questions or concerns. At the birth, patience and warm support are the most used ‘tools’...there are no rigorous time frames or ‘shoulds’; each birth is viewed as being highly individual and completely normal in all its various forms. Parents receive honest communication about choices - allowing you to make informed decisions and to be part of your care, rather than subject to it. For more information on the benefits of a Homebirth Delivery Vs. a Hospital Delivery, visit our Home Court Advantage page.

Scientific research leading to Evidence Based Care shows that over 95 percent of mothers can safely qualify for a Homebirth Delivery, with appropriate prenatal care and attendance of a Certified Professional Midwife. Of course, for the rare 5 percent where true medical complications arise, your Midwife collaborates with specialist physicians in theses situations. Your Midwife is meticulous in the assessment of our moms and babies in order to ascertain when medical intervention is truly needed and appropriate, rather than simply performing routine intervention when no true medical indication exists as is typical in a hospital setting. For more information on the safety of a Midwife Attended Homebirth, select this link for The Medical Literature on the Safety of Homebirth, and this link for Homebirth Safety References.


A Note About Interviewing a Healthcare Practitioner:
When interviewing a midwife, physician, or any health care practitioner, be sure to ask for references from previous families who have used their services. Excellent references and testimonies ensure quality service and high standards of care.
Also, when interviewing a midwife, make sure your midwife is a nurturing one. You will know this if she is willing to accept new midwife students as apprentices, and if she is supportive of other midwives who accept new midwife students as apprentices, and if she always follows up with the postpartum care of all of her clients, including the newborn screens.


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