Home birth is on the rise. But is it safe? (US Consumer Report)

Source: Consumer Report US , May 26, 2011.

Less than one percent of babies in the U.S. are born at home. But after years of decline, home births are on the rise. Between 2004 and 2008, the rate of home births increased by 20 percent, according to a study published online May 20 in the journal Birth. Why? Maybe alienation with hospital care—where around a third of babies were delivered by Cesarean section in 2007—has some women wanting more control over what they consider a normal, natural experience. They want, in a sense, to stay home to stay safe. But are they right? Is home birth safe?

While the question is a polarizing one, at least in this country, several professional organizations say it can be for low-risk pregnancies if necessary precautions are taken. That includes the World Health Organization, the American Public Health Association, the National Perinatal Association, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

10 Celebrity Home Births

10 celebrities opened about their homebirth for Celebritybabyscoop, including Jeniffer Conelly, my favourite actress, who recently had had 3rd baby. Read what they say about homebirth!

As home births become increasingly popular, more and more celebrity moms are opting to have their babies in the comforts of their own home.

From the arrival of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany's newest addition, daughter Agnes Lark, born via home birth, to Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady's son Benjamin born at their home in December 2009, to Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof's now 2-year-old daughter Satyana born at home, the celebs are joining the trend!

Homebirth and Waterbirth restrictions?

Babble blogs- pregnancy reports following news:

Ladies Hold On To Your Kiddie Pools!

POSTED BY DANIELLE625 ON MAY 26TH, 2011 AT 8:49 PM

Got a kiddie pool in your house?  Watch out!  The FDA may be coming after you!   No… seriously, they might be knocking on your door to seize your unregistered medical device!

No joke!

Water Birth International founder Barbara Harper is no stranger to the on-again, off-again harassment by the FDA, in fact she went a couple rounds back with them in 2000, but now it is being taken to another level.

Currently the FDA has seized all the imported portable birth tubs, and are threatening to destroy them.  Meaning?   Women who have a desire to rent a safe, and sterile birth tub for a home birth, or water birth in another facility will not have this option.

Is homebirth safe?

Canadian Medical Association published in their journal CMAJ results of study about safety of planned homebirths and births in hospital: Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician in 2009

Study compared the outcomes of both types of births where most important factors were rate of perinatal mortality ( death of mother), obstetric interventions ( like forceps or vacuum) and neonatal outcomes ( newborn health).