How Dangerous are Home Births?

 Posted on February 19, 2014 in Personal Injury

It seems that more and more pregnant women are tailoring their birth plan to suit their individual preferences. Lately, there seems to be a significant portion of expectant mothers who choose to go against the typical modern birthing experience, and instead favor more natural methods of childbirth. This can range from low-dose or complete abstention from any medication during labor and or delivery, to foregoing a doctor's care and giving birth with the assistance of a midwife. However, an article recently published by NBC News warns of the dangers of these decisions, specifically those dangers associated with home births.

Safety Concerns According to the article, experts are encouraging pregnant women who are considering skipping the hospital in favor of a home birth to consider the dangers the decision could pose to their unborn child. In fact, the researchers go so far as to say giving birth at home can be likened to not putting a car seat belt on a child. While some car trips are safe, and will not result in any sort of injury to a child, the ride and potential risks associated with the same would be much safer for the child if he or she wears a seat belt. One of the main concerns for those women who choose to give birth at home is that in the event of a complication, they do not have access to resources to detect and address a problem that arises. As a result, the health and well-being of the infant can be compromised. Statistics back up the claim: babies born at home are 10 times more likely to be stillborn than babies born in hospitals, as was reported by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology last fall. In addition, babies born at home are four times more likely to suffer from neonatal seizures or serious neurologic dysfunction. The Role of Doctors and Midwives The researchers' concern is that neither doctors nor midwives adequately counsel patients on the dangers associated with home birth, and other resources fail to inform expectant mothers about the risk of long-term disability as the result of giving birth at home. They take the stance that doctors should refrain from supporting patients' planned home births when a safe hospital alternative is available. The Home Birth Trend The article says that less than one percent of women in the United States have home births, but that the CDC reported the rate of home births rose almost one-third between 2004 and 2009. Women who are over the age of 35 with multiple previous children are more likely to have a home birth than others. It is important to note that while there may be certain elevated risks associated with home births, those that occur in hospitals are not immune from dangers and birth-related injuries. If you or someone you know has experienced a birth related injury in Illinois, contact the attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today. We can discuss your case with you and advise you of your rights.