Safe homebirth: luck has little to do with it.

"Persist in spreading the word that midwives are not only experts in normal birth, but also expert at keeping birth normal." - Midwifery Today

Homebirth often raises questions about safety. I've heard fathers admitting they thought choosing to birth at home meant the fate of his wife and baby would be in his hands! This was before meeting the midwife, of course.

The truth is, homebirth midwifery is built on careful planning and thorough risk assessment with skilled providers who step in to catch problems before they become too serious to manage. Midwives tend to hemorrhages, provide IV fluids and antibiotics in labor (if desired), support newborn breathing when we need to, and handle true emergencies like shoulder dystocia.

Homebirth is safe because midwives are skilled!

Low-Risk Pregnancies

Safety starts way before labor begins. This means:

• We focus on nutrition and supplementation to prevent anemia, support your thyroid health, and ensure you have the fuel you need to stay healthy and low risk.

• We don't attend pre-term births.

• Pre-existing conditions like chronic hypertension and Types 1 & 2 diabetes are risk out criteria for birthing at home.

  
  

Carefully monitoring your pregnancy and tailoring care to what's realistic for you keeps our clients healthy.

Hemorrhage Management

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the more serious emergencies during birth. Midwives prepare for this with good prenatal care and tools to manage blood loss.

We ...

• monitor your iron levels prenatally

• keep the birth room calm & quiet so your natural oxytocin works to control bleeding

• wait for your placenta to detach on it's own

• carry life-saving medications such as pitocin, methergine, misoprostol, and TXA to administer when your blood loss is abnormal.

• administer IV fluids to replace blood volume loss when needed

  
  

  We use the same medications as the hospital to stop excessive blood loss before it becomes life-threatening.

Supporting Newborn Breathing at Birth

Sometimes babies need help to start breathing right after birth. Midwives come prepared with:

• Ambu-bags with masks to provide gentle breaths

• Oxygen tanks to supply extra oxygen when required

• A team that recertifies in neonatal resuscitation every 2 yrs and practices skills often

  
  

Pictured are some tools we carry that allow us to support newborns right away and prevent the need for transfer.

Most babies that need help breathing, only need a few breaths to inflate their lungs for the first time and they take over pretty quickly after. Pictured Left to Right below: an ambu bag and mask, an Oxygen tank, a Stethoscope, a Pulse Oximeter to monitor infant oxygen levels.

Managing Shoulder Dystocia and Other Emergencies

Shoulder dystocia happens when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery. Midwives train extensively to manage this emergency with techniques such as:

• Specific upright maternal positioning to free the shoulder

• Controlled maneuvers to guide the baby out

• Skilled assistants to help rotate the baby and prepare to support the baby's breathing after a rough delivery

  
  

Midwives also prepare for other emergencies like cord prolapse or fetal distress by having clear protocols and communication plans to get to nearby hospitals.

Why Homebirth Safety Is Not About Luck

Homebirth safety depends on knowledge, preparation, and experience—not chance. Midwives:

• Accept only low-risk clients

• Bring essential emergency tools and medications

• Train regularly in emergency management skills and remain calm when they're needed

• Monitor labor closely to detect problems early

• Have transfer plans for hospital care when needed

  
  

This approach creates a calm environment where safety is still a priority.

What Families Can Expect from a Homebirth Midwife

Choosing a homebirth midwife means working with a professional who:

• Provides personalized prenatal care

• Educates families about emergency plans

• Arrives at birth fully equipped to handle complications

• Prioritizes physiologic birth that keeps labor safer for you and your baby

• Coordinates with hospitals for smooth transfers if necessary

If you are considering homebirth, talk openly with a midwife about safety measures and emergency plans. Consultations are often free or low cost to ensure you're a good fit and give you time to ask about risk management. You deserve care that feels right for you and your family without sacrificing safety or autonomy.