Why a Home Birth After Cesarean Is an Option Worth Considering

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If you’re pregnant and considering your birth options, you may have been told that a home birth after cesarean (HBAC) isn’t possible, or that it’s too risky. The truth is that HBAC is a safe and viable option for many women and one that comes with a number of benefits. In this blog post, we’ll dispel some of the myths surrounding HBAC and explore why this option may be right for you.

Myth #1: A Home Birth After Cesarean Is Too Risky

One of the biggest myths surrounding HBAC is that it’s simply too risky—but that’s not true. In fact, a large scale study of HBACs found that the rate of complications was no higher for HBACs than for repeat cesareans. Of course, as with any birth, there are some risks associated with HBAC—the largest one is uterine rupture, but those risks are rare, less than 1% of women experience this and even in cases where this happens with quick medical intervention Mom and Baby are often fine. The other risks such as stalled labor or very long labor can usually be effectively managed by working with an experienced Midwife and Doula.

Myth #2: You Won’t Have Effective Pain Management

One of the main reasons women choose to have a cesarean in the first place is because they’re worried about the pain of childbirth. What many women don’t realize is that there are so many options for pain relief during labor. Hiring an experienced Doula is one of the best things you can do if you are planning a HBAC. Doulas are trained in natural pain management as well as techniques to help labor progress quickly and ensure that baby is in the best position for delivery. Studies have shown that having a doula as a member of your birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%. Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. Aroma therapies, breathing exercises, hydro-tubs and running water, hypnobirthing meditation and deep relaxation are all used to help control pain.

Myth #3: You’ll Be Stuck at Home if Something Goes Wrong

Another common concern among women considering a home birth is what will happen if something goes wrong. Many women assume that they’ll be stranded at home without access to emergency care—but that’s simply not the case. If you’re planning a home birth, your midwife will create a comprehensive plan for dealing with any potential complications. You will see your midwife for regular exams and prenatal care and you will have the opportunity to discuss concerns and desires well before you go into labor. And in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, you will always have the option of transport to a hospital for emergency care.

If you’re currently pregnant and considering your birth options, I hope this blog post has given you some food for thought. A home birth after cesarean is a safe and viable option for many women—and it comes with a number of benefits, including decreased risk of infection, lower cost, and faster postpartum recovery. Not to mention more overall control of your own birth. Hospitals have many guidelines in place that don’t always match up with a birthing mom’s desires and wishes. Home birth as well as HBAC is very mom and baby centered with a large focus on family and support. If you have any questions about HBAC or would like to learn more about this option, I encourage you to reach out to an experienced midwife or Doula in your area. If you are unsure of who to contact I will be happy to provide recommendations.