Angie Brant Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — The number of babies born at home in Maryland has increased dramatically since 2001. According to MarylandReporter.com, 291 babies were born at home in 2001, compared to 409 in 2010.
At-home births accounted for just 1 percent of all births, and while the trend does not appear to have taken hold in Allegany County as dramatically as in metropolitan areas, several mothers here have given birth to their children in their homes with great success.
Jamie Bailey, 32, of Grantsville is the mother of three children. Her first two children were hospital births but she wanted to do things a bit differently with her third child.
“The hospital births were not the worst experiences, but I wanted better. I wanted to labor and deliver my way — without an induction, dangerous labor-augmenting drugs, pain meds and constant monitoring — all which raise the risk of C section,” she said. “I didn’t want to be on a time schedule; if it was going to take two days, then I was up for the challenge. I wanted my family there, including my other two children. I wanted to bring my new infant into a quiet, dim and warm environment, where bonding and breastfeeding could begin immediately.”
Delivering her child at home not only met Bailey’s expectations, but exceeded what she had hoped to be the outcome of her home birth.
“I found that it wasn’t just the amazing birth experience that I had received. In actuality, I received an amazing pregnancy experience, too. I had a caregiver who listened and gave advice and was experienced enough to refer me elsewhere if a problem arose.”
Bailey and her midwife met regularily for her checkups and the midwife also met with Bailey’s husband and other children prior to delivery.
“It was amazing. I progressed a lot faster in my own home and warm tub than I anticipated. My midwife actually missed the birth by five minutes. I caught my own 8-pound, 15-ounce baby boy, Blake. I felt on top of the world — tired and sore — but on top of the world.”
Bailey said she still encounters people who “raise an eyebrow” when they learn she elected to have her third child at home.
But she believes that each woman needs to consider what is best for her and research the options available.
“To any woman who is pregnant, not just those who are choosing home birth, I would say do your homework and be your own advocate. If you are thinking about home birth, seek out women who have had them. Meet with a midwife and go over expectations and fears,” said Bailey. “We come from all walks of life, love our children and have made educated and well-researched decisions about our bodies and our babies.”
A study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics indicated more than 90 percent of attended home births in the U.S. involve midwives, but just 25 percent were certified. A certified nurse-midwife is a registered nurse with advanced, specialized training and experience in taking care of pregnant women and delivering babies. She is also licensed to provide care before, during and after delivery.
Rodney Glotfelty, a Garrett County health officer, said he has not seen an increase in home births, but emphasized that prenatal care is crucial for any mother.
“Home birth is a nice option for low-risk pregnancies but it is important to be able to get to a hospital quickly should a problem arise,” he said.
Maryland law allows only licensed doctors or a certified nurse-midwife to issue a birth certificate.
In situations where a child is born without a licensed practitioner present, the health department interviews the parents and collects any medical records and other documentation about residency prior to issuing a birth certificate.
Locating a midwife can be a daunting task for parents because many midwives are reluctant to advertise their skills due to legal issues, Bailey said. She found her midwife after attending a home birth five years ago.
Julie Huston, a certified nurse-midwife for Somerset (Pa.) OB-GYN, said she believes a home birth can be a safe and viable option for mothers experiencing a low-risk pregnancy.
“The ideal candidate for home birth is a healthy woman without any health or prenatal complications,” she said. “The key to safety is that the childbearing woman find a provider with both the skills and the ability to manage any situation.
“The concern with home birth is that women are often not close enough to a hospital for lifesaving measures in the event of an emergency, including postpartum hemorrhage or uterine rupture,” Huston said.
“If you’re choosing a home birth, choose a certified-nurse midwife or certified midwife who has admitting privileges at your local hospital. If she has privileges, she ... will be able to continue care with you no matter what ends up happening and will also be able to expedite your care in the event of an emergency,” Huston said.
Bailey said she will continue to serve as an advocate for home birth and hopes that legal issues will not deter parents seeking a more natural method in which to welcome their child into the world. She said her own experience was exactly what she wanted for her and her family. “It went the way I wanted and needed. I was the one making decisions.”
Contact Angie Brant at abrant@times-news.com
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