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Homebirth Help
A Certified Doula Answers Common Questions on Homebirth
By Kelly Camden, Certified Doula
Homebirth midwives are trained in emergency medical care of mothers and newborns. They carry blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, oxygen tanks, suction devices and medications to stop bleeding. Because they are providing care for one family at a time, they are almost continuously observing mother and baby.
Midwives can recognize when a situation arises that requires a specialist or ongoing medical care. If that is the case, they will transfer care or make a referral. If it is an emergency that is best dealt with at the hospital, they will call an ambulance and provide care until help arrives. Sometimes a homebirth midwife is able to stay with a mother to offer support through the rest of her labor.
Homebirth midwives do listen to the baby's heart rate. They use a handheld monitor, which is called a Doppler, to listen to the baby. They will count the number of times that the baby's heart is beating and then record it in the chart. Fluctuations in the baby's heart rate are detectable in this way and can even be heard while the mom is in the bath tub or shower.
Water birth is much more accessible to women who are choosing to birth at home. However, you will want to inquire about water birth with each midwife that you interview. Most midwives do encourage women to use water as a comfort measure. Some homebirth midwives rent or provide a fancy portable tub, some suggest purchasing an inflatable kiddie pool and others will simply accommodate the mother who is bathing in herown bathtub. In the hospital, waterbirth is rare. Information about which hospitals provide waterbirth can be found at the Waterbirth International Web site, www.waterbirth.org.
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