Truth Tuesdays! Myth: Home Birth Isn't Safe

It is a common misconception that home birth is not safe.
Truth- Home birth is safe for all low- risk pregnant persons. In fact, a recent study on the outcomes of community birth found that 89.1% of low risk pregnant persons planning a home birth with a midwife successfully delivered at home, and the overall cesarean rates are just 5.2% compared to a national average of 31%. In addition, those attempting a VBAC had a success rate of 87%! Postpartum maternal transfer rates were only 1.5% and newborn transfers were only 0.9% (Cheyney et. al., 2014)
Midwives are trained to manage normal labor and birth, recognize variations of normal, and manage obstetrical emergencies. During labor, midwives monitor the client’s vitals as well as the baby’s heart rate. In fact, once in active labor, your midwife is present continuously to ensure the safety of both the client and the baby.
In the state of Washington, midwives are able to carry medications to manage hemorrhage, antibiotics, IV fluids, and more! In addition, the entire midwifery team present at the home birth is certified in NRP just in case baby needs some help after birth.
Take a look at just SOME of the gear that Midwife Ashley carries to every birth!
Have questions about the safety of home birth? Feel free to ask here!
To read the study in full: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jmwh.12172