Are Home Births Dangerous?

The number of home births has yo-yoed over the last 15 years. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 35,000 babies are born at home. Parents are justifiably exercising their right to choose. They should be able to able to deliver their child in an environment where they feel healthy and comfortable. Modern medicine and well-trained healthcare professionals make safe home births possible. Home births allow for more autonomy, lower cost, and may help certain families adhere to religious or cultural rituals.

Parents should be aware, however, that there are certain risks that come along with having a home birth, and birth injuries can occur. Being prepared for all possible complications is important, in case you need to enact an emergency plan.

Risks of home births

Labor and delivery can be unpredictable. Even healthy babies and mothers might experience complications. Home births, in particular, lack some of the prevention resources available in hospitals, such as vital sign monitoring equipment or emergency drugs, including Pitocin, IV fluids, or antibiotics. Midwives are unable to perform an emergency C-section.

If a licensed physician is not present, the attending midwife or doula may lack knowledge of the warning signs of complications. There are two designations for midwives in the United States: certified nurse midwives, called CNMs, and certified professional midwives, or CPMs. Typically, CNMs are more highly-trained, have more experience, and meet higher professional standards. CPMs may lack sufficient medical training and may be unable to handle complications.

As a rule, women with high-risk pregnancies should avoid home births. That class would include:

• Women with complications, such as preeclampsia
• Women with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes
• Women who have previously had C-sections
• Women carrying twins
• Women who are more than 41 weeks pregnant
• Women carrying breech babies, or if a baby comes premature

Home births and birth injuries

If something does go wrong during a home birth, the mother should be transported to a hospital immediately. If not, birth injuries could ensue, including:

• Brachial plexus injuries
• Fractures and bruising
• Intracranial bleeding
• Cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or Klumpke’s palsy
• Skull fracture
• Shoulder dystocia
• Oxygen deprivation

In the most tragic of scenarios, a child could die if his or her needs are not met or if the attending midwife improperly delivered the baby. For example, the midwife may mishandle the baby or use forceps improperly, causing a fatal injury to your precious child.

If you feel a midwife or doula acted negligently by not responding to your child’s needs, not addressing complications, or otherwise making a medical mistake, you should speak with an attorney right away.

Bailey & Greer, PLLC is a full-service personal injury law firm. Our Memphis birth injury lawyers provide caring, compassionate support for families who have suffered a tragic birth injury. To make an appointment, call 901-680-9777 or fill out a contact form. We will meet with you for a free, confidential case review in either our Memphis or Jackson offices. Our attorneys work with clients throughout Western Tennessee.