Rochester Homebirth Circle

  Contact   Paula Derleth at pmderleth@yahoo.com for more information.

Rochester Area Birth Network Homebirth Circle is typically held the third Sunday of each month, 2:30 - 4:30 pm. Location varies, please call for more information.

New Location for this month: Luvaboos,  683 N. Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14609

 Partners / husbands are always welcome.  Join us on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochester-Homebirth-Circle/202143056490146

For more information on Homebirth Circle, having a homebirth, or to speak with someone who has had a homebirth, contact:
Lynn Barnett at 957-1779, lbarnett@rabn.org

Check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RochesterHBC

 

Why Homebirth?

Although the reasons for deciding to give birth at home vary, most families in this country who choose home birth share a belief that birth is a natural physiological process, not a medical condition which routinely needs intervention, and therefore can safely take place outside the hospital. Also common is the feeling that labor, birth, and early newborn / parent interaction are events which are facilitated and enhanced by the continuity, security, and familiarity of the home environment. In addition, for some families, the decision to birth at home may be driven by a desire to take greater personal responsibility for the entire birth experience. A wish for more decision-making authority is often a motivating factor when families have had a disappointing previous hospital experience and wish to have a more enjoyable subsequent birth. Whatever your reasons for considering home birth, you can rest assured that for healthy, low-risk women experiencing normal pregnancies, studies indicate that home birth with a trained attendant can be a safe option.

Safety of Homebirth

Virtually all well-designed* studies of planned home birth with a trained care provider have found that for healthy, low-risk women, home birth is as safe or safer than hospital birth. The World Health Organization, Midwives Alliance of North America, and the American College of Nurse Midwives all recognize attended home birth as a safe option for all low-risk women.

To maximize the safety of home birth, a pregnant woman should be in good overall health and should maintain healthy habits and good nutrition during pregnancy. A home birth care provider should check for potential risk factors, and screen out women who have complications which might compromise the safety of home birth. The risk of some factors, such as vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) may be determined on an individual basis when compared to other factors (general well-being and health of the mother, reason for previous cesarean, etc.). Criteria for home birth may differ between providers.

A Canadian study published in the British Medical Journal in 2005 showed that planned home birth for low-risk women in North America using certified professional midwives was associated with lower rates of medical intervention, but similar intrapartum and neonatal mortality to that of low-risk hospital births in the United States. It also showed that homebirth lowers the risk of cesarean. This supports the findings of all previous studies that were properly controlled*.

More recently, two studies published in 2009, from the UK and Canada, also showed that homebirth with a registered Midwife was as safe for low risk women as a hopsital birth, with fewer interventions.

* Well-designed studies compare low-risk women having planned, midwife-attended home births with low-risk women giving birth in hospitals.   Some poorly designed studies suggested that home birth was not safe, but these studies were done using raw data from birth certificates alone.  In those studies, all babies born outside a hospital or birth center, including unattended homebirths, unplanned homebirths, precipitous premature births, etc. were factored in when calculating morbidity and mortality rates, which alters the accuracy of the study.

Sources (Contact Amy Haas for a complete reference list using our contact form)
  • Goer H., Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities.Bergin-Garvey, 1995
  • American Journal of Public Health 1992:82:450-453
  • Birth 1994:21:141-148
  • Johnson & Daviss, British Medical Journal, 2005;330:1416
  • Medscape

  • de Jonge A, van der Goes B, Ravelli A, Amelink-Verburg M, Mol B, Nijhuis J, Bennebroek Gravenhorst J, Buitendijk S. Perinatal mortality and morbidity in a nationwide cohort of 529 688 low-risk planned home and hospital births. BJOG 2009; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02175.x.

  • Jassen, et al; “Outcomes of planned homebirth with registered Midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician”. CMAJ 2009. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.081869

Recommended Reading

The following books should be available in local bookstores and libraries. If you have trouble locating them, most homebirth care providers have lending libraries. (See also the Recommended Reading List, with links to the Monroe County Library and Amazon.com, where a portion of your purchase will go to RABN!)

A Wise Birth, by Penny Armstrong and Sheryl Feldman
This beautifully written book chronicles the true story of Pennsylvania midwife Penny Armstrong as she serves and learns from a traditional Amish community. Possibly the best book ever to convey through simple stories the awesome power and beauty of natural unimpeded labor and birth.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery, by Ina May Gaskin
These books combine practical information on preparing for and attending a home birth with dozens of home birth stories and photos emphasizing the intuitive, spiritual, and relationship-building aspects of home birth. Contains especially useful information for anyone having trouble finding a home birth provider.

Homebirth, by Sheila Kitzinger
This book is a gentle introduction to the beauty and sensibility of birthing at home. It is highly recommended for anyone contemplating or planning a home birth. In addition, it has been reported by many as very helpful in helping to ease the anxiety of reluctant family or friends. It includes information on preparing for a home birth.

Local Home Birth Providers:

Brigitte Rhody, CNM, MS – Midwifery & Women's Health, Homebirth, Holistic health, Fertility & Wellness 585-737-0773; 90 Hibiscus Drive, Rochester NY 14618,  birthplanet@aol.com (Now accepting new patients)

 

Welcome Home Midwifery Meg Grindrod, CNM & Sarah Cayer Homebirth care, Well woman annual exams, Family planning, Special interest in VBAC 669-2355; 1501 East Ave., Suite 211, Rochester NY.   Announcing a new webpage for Welcome Home Midwifery !

Congratulations to Midwife Meg Grindrod on her 1000th Birth!

For a instructions on obtaining a list of other local midwives see our Published Information page.

HoNeY - Homebirthers of NY

For additional information on HBAC (homebirth after cesarean ) please also contact Amy Haas using our contact form.