Safety of Home Birth

My 21 year old sister is 6 months along with her first child. She refuses to see a doctor and wants to have the baby at home. I have had 2 children of my own and have strongly urged her to see a doctor, to no avail. Is it safe to attempt a home birth? If so what resources are avaliable for me to get information on the procedure. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Still a mom]

My sil had 2 babies at home. Her deliveries went smoothly, but she had had 2 kids already. Dh's cousin had her last baby at home and didn't know he was a big boy, 11 lbs and she is tiny. He got stuck and was black and not breathing when he was born. He is doing fine now. Things can happen. It would be wise for her to go to a doctor to make sure everything is ok for her to have a home delivery. Tell her to find a doctor that is ok with home deliveries, so she has a back up plan in case something should happen.
mandi

[Christie2004]

You can go to ivillage.com and look at the forums concerning homebirth, on the message boards.

She needs to be sure she has no risk factors and is receiving care from a licensed midwife.  There are dangers inherent in childbirth, whether in a hospital or at home.  In the hospital, we actually CREATE a certain percentage of problems with interventions that may not be necessary.

Birthing at home takes away some of those unnecessary interventions, but you have to assume some risk that an emergency may arise that could have been handled instantly in the hospital.  Fortunately, those types of emergencies are not common.  She does, however, need to have people in attendance certified in neonatal resuscitation and have the equipment there to use. Most licensed midwives carry such certification and equipment with them.

In the end, it is a matter of choice and what risks she is/is not willing to assume--both homebirth and hospital birth have risks.  I support homebirth, yet work in high risk OB and recognize the necessity of having good preparation and low risk status before attempting it.

[mgi]

my close friend had all three of hers at home.   She is thrilled with her choice and they were all delivered in the giant water tub(personally I think all hospitals should offer water births.

[cinnamonheart]

She refuses to see a doctor? Is she having any prenatal care??
didnt read any on your post I guess its her choice (not that I would do it)  All you can do is get her any information available
Best of Luck

[petsyjane]

I wouldn't advise a home birth if she has had no medical screening. Birth is one of the most dagerous times for a baby if the baby isn't laid right you could end up with more problems than you could handle. I wish you luck in persuading her to seek medical help before the birth. I do hope it's a happy our come.
Just to add i had 4 babys and although i was screened i ended up with one that has ceribral paulsy ( lack of oxygen to the brain at birth.) even with medical help things can still go sadly wrong :-/

[jluhart]

It seems odd to me that she doesn't want to go to a doctor.  Is she lying about when she conceived, whose baby it is, etc.?  You'll have to forgive my questions, but the baby's health should be the most important issue right now and for that, she needs to see a doctor.