Has Anyone Ever Done an At Home Birth?

Question

My due date isn't until the spring, but one of my friends is a midwife and she's been suggesting an at home birth to me lately. I have a lot of anxiety around hospitals, so it's a tempting option. It's just I've always planned on getting an epidural, and I'm worried that if something goes wrong I'd rather be at the hospital. My husband isn't a big fan of the idea, but says he'll support me in what ever I choose. I'm leaning to sticking with the hospital, even my midwife friend says the hospital is the better option, it's just I've been having a lot of random anxiety about it lately.

So I'm just curious if anyone has done an at home birth here and what did you think about it?

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

How did women ever give birth in the past without hospitals existing? We're animals and have the ability to do it without others help and everyone being around you. And they say the easiest to give birth standing up, which seems the natural way to go.

Benefits of Upright Positions

Uses Gravity: Helps the baby move down through the birth canal.

Increases Pelvic Space: Squatting and kneeling can widen the pelvic outlet, giving the baby more room.

Stronger Contractions: Uterine contractions can be more efficient.

Less Pain & Intervention: Reported to cause less pain and lower rates of episiotomies, vacuum, or forceps delivery for those without epidurals.

Better Oxygen Flow: Better blood flow to the baby, reducing abnormal heart tones.

Other Upright Options

Squatting: Excellent for opening the pelvis but can be tiring; often supported by a partner or birth bar.

Kneeling/Hands-and-Knees: Opens the pelvis, allows for back rubs, and can be combined with other positions.

Leaning Forward/Swaying: Gentle rocking while leaning on a partner or ball helps manage pain and progress labor.

My honest opinion... I'd still take my partner to a hospital. In the low chance that complications arise, I'd want her to have the best support. But part of me doesn't understand why we've come so far from the natural way of having birth. We're too soft these days and use painkillers and beds and a bunch of other devices, when in reality it doesn't need it majority of the time.

AMS700CX4u2 · Accepted Answer

My wife and I were members of a very early rescue organization, Like prehistoric ENTs. It required a standard First Aid certificate, Six months of didactic and a Certificate of Defensive Driving from the Florida Highway Patrol, and Multiple sign-off from surrounding physicians. We either delivered or transported to Shands in Gainsville. Everyone delivered a child on the service but me I have always had a smiley face and it did not generate trust.

beenherebefore · Accepted Answer

No, and I wouldn't. I have nothing against it and I think women who take such decision are very brave I just don't think is for me.

DishLady · Accepted Answer

No. It’s ridiculous. Modern medicine exists for a reason…

MrChinaski · Answer

A friend had a baby in a small private hospital (130 beds). It went poorly. The baby could barely breathe. The private hospital was unable to treat the baby effectively. It came straight out and into an ambulance to a larger (650 bed) public research and teaching hospital 3.5 km away where doctors saved its life, just, and put it into intensive infant care for 3 weeks. He swore never to have a baby outside a large hospital.

So speaking as a man I enjoy greatly telling women how they should deliver babies... but if things go badly, what is your plan B? How do you get from your home to emergency in 5 minutes? Would you know when to go and when not to? What happens if you are haemorraghing at the same time?

Maybe its workable for you. Maybe it is too risky for you.

Zack-Bann · Answer

Honestly why risk it?
Hospitals are equipped for this stuff and they do it all the time

At least you’ll have medical professionals around if something was to go wrong, god forbid.

The at home thing sounds like a cool idea but it’s been co-opted by the hippies who think they’re “alternative” just for doing something outside of what they consider mainstream

Staximus · Answer

You don't live in the hinterland during the 1800s. Go have the baby at the hospital like a rational individual, just in case something goes wrong and they can save you or the baby or both. It's not about you and doing what you want anymore, it's about doing what's best for the baby.

Twalli · Answer

I support a hospital birth. They know what they're doing, and how to fix something that shouldn't be happening that might happen. They've dealt with it or, if your doctor hasn't, someone there has. I want to work at a hospital or medical building because if something that messes with my health happens (which is actually pretty likely) I am where I need to be. There is NO better place for me to be at that moment.

CherryLove007 · Answer

Wonder what AI said... where is the AI answer? lmao

Anonymous · Answer

Have you ever lost a cat before, and how did you feel about it?

slatyb · Answer

My ex-wife did, with a midwife and a hospital minutes away.

Anonymous · Answer

That seems dangerous. I would much prefer to go to a hospital if I was pregnant and about to give birth but other women can do what they wish.

Grond21 · Answer

My sister and 2 sister-in-laws did it multiple times. They all had positive experiences

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Ask @apple1996 she's given birth more times than anyone on this site

Kelly6 · Answer

@emeraldsaphire Never done it but was thinking about doing it this time.

AgentG111 · Answer

My mother did her last 4 at home with a midwife.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

I was born at home. Not sure if that counts as a recomendation.

V1ka5h · Answer

I was born at my home. And there were nanny and nurses

StephanieChick111 · Answer

No, both of mine were born in the hospital.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I did... in 1963. Result: extraordinary

Anonymous · Answer

Don’t ask how I got her into labor.

888theGreat · Answer

No, maybe 9 months before

MasterKS · Answer

Yes you should try it.

Anonymous · Answer

Nope.

Anonymous · Answer

Nope, never.

Has Anyone Ever Done an At Home Birth?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Were you once born a baby?

Has Anyone Ever Done an At Home Birth?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Were you once born a baby?

We're glad to see you liked this post.