For many women, the first hint of labor means that it's
time to grab your belongings, hop in the car and speed to the hospital.
But why do we treat birth as though it were a medical emergency, and not
a natural function of your body? Now, some doctors are suggesting that
it may actually be safer for some women to give birth in the comfort of
their own homes, without any kind of medical assistance.
"A report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists suggests that as many as a third of all women should give birth 'without a doctor going anywhere near them,'" explains The Daily Mail.
According to the report, women with normal, low-risk pregnancies don't necessarily need to be admitted to a hospital to give birth - instead, they can choose to stay at home or head to a birthing center, where midwives can provide them with guidance and comfort. Those at risk for complications, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes or those who are expecting twins or triplets, might still be best off at the hospital, however.
"Too many babies are born in the traditional 'hospital' setting," said Anthony Falconer, president of the RCOG. "There is a perception among patients that they still see the hospital birth as the safer option. The use of some of these midwife-led units is not as great as it should be. These places are very safe and appropriate to have babies. Roughly a third of women need a doctor, roughly a third need midwives and roughly a third might need both."
Where would you want to give birth? Do you like the clinical sterility and expertise of a hospital, or do you prefer a more natural setting?
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