Every individual’s health and history must be considered to get a full picture of the benefits and risks of home birth. Some of the potential benefits of birthing at home include:

• Increased feelings of safety and intimacy, which directly affects the hormonal passage that facilitate physiologic childbirth

• More freedom of movement and position changes in all stages of labour

• Higher likelihood of freedom of use of water and waterbirth

• Continuity of care and ease of transfer to postpartum (bed)

• Lower risks of infection and unnecessary interventions

• Increased privacy, spiritual and cultural considerations, intimacy

• Higher possibility of having an orgasmic birth

• Lower chances of episiotomy, forceps/vacuum birth, or surgical birth

• Promotes physiologic 3rd stage (birthing the placenta) and honours umbilical cord practices and preferences

VBAC is generally safe and even enhanced in its success rate when planned at home. Speak to your healthcare provider and even consult with multiple providers to make an informed choice about birth location.

There are risks and safety considerations to consider in all birthing locations. For those who carefully consider home birth and whose health care providers promote their safe home birth, home birth is considered safe. In some cases, home birth is safer than hospital birth. Each individual must consider their health history and other factors.

Some concerns around home birth include emergency situations. Having easy access to a hospital in case of an (unlikely) emergent transfer is another consideration. However, most transfer are non-urgent, meaning they are precautionary transfers based on any sign of clinical stress or pathology. So there is plenty of time to make the transfer to hospital if needed. It is important to be informed and to collaborate with supportive, experienced providers.

Home birth may actually decrease risks in birth for certain individuals. Home births also have an overall higher satisfaction rate and often lead to feelings of empowerment, comfort, and ease.

Let’s chat and find out more about your birth location options and you and your baby’s safety.

This is common enough, and usually not an emergency. Non-urgent transfers can be less stressful if you’ve already packed a hospital bag. To have a more mindful transfer, it’s best to understand ahead of time in which situations you would consider moving to hospital. That way, you feel informed and empowered in that choice being right for you, in certain circumstances. Midwives and doulas are trained at different levels to assess risk and be of consultation when deciding whether to transfer to the hospital.

Have a carseat installed in your car if you have one, or ready to go by the door if you would call a cab/Uber in case of a transfer. Have a disposable underpad on top of your hospital bag to protect the car seat.

Calling an ambulance/paramedics is also a great option for urgent or non-urgent (in late active stage to transition) transfers.

High BMI alone is not a reason to not have a home birth. Other health conditions, whether associated to your BMI or not, may be factors and worth discussing this with your healthcare team.

Recent research suggests that water birth and labouring in water may be highly beneficial and safe for individuals with higher BMIs and/or with obesity. Water aids in buoyancy and movement and is a mindful option for coping with labour and encouraging optimal fetal positioning and movements. It may be worth considering a home birth or a hospital/center where water labour is allowed and encouraged if you have a high BMI.

Remember, your BMI does not define your ability to grow, birth, and care for your baby. Stay informed and stay empowered.