I had 5 children at home...four in northern Illinois with a family practice (MD) that did home births and one in Georgia with two midwifes. Yeah, it was pretty cool that your doctor would be sitting in your back yard...relaxing/waiting. They actually send the nurse midwife out first to evaluate where you are at and then the doctor comes closer to delivery time. One time the doctor didn't make it in time (busy night) so the nurse midwife delivered...but they were very experienced and competent.

The biggest drawback is that some states won't allow licensing of mid-wives which impede their ability to have doctor/hospital backup (Georgia). I was VERY blessed to have had this opportunity and all my children got to see their younger siblings born...

I personally think this is the safest way to go...they screen so high risk people would not be able to deliver at home. I had babies in the 80's and the trend since has been that hospitals have set up rooms that are more like home with nurse midwives...but there are certain hospital protocols that must be followed. Hospitals also do water births now. Do your research and you will find all the info you need.

I did the Bradley method of classes to prepare for childbirth and that was very intensive teaching to help prepare me. I feel it was all win-win for everyone involved. I could list MANY things that were not done because I was at home. Personally I was a very satisfied customer.

I had 5 children at home...four in northern Illinois with a family practice (MD) that did home births and one in Georgia with two midwifes. Yeah, it was pretty cool that your doctor would be sitting in your back yard...relaxing/waiting. They actually send the nurse midwife out first to evaluate where you are at and then the doctor comes closer to delivery time. One time the doctor didn't make it in time (busy night) so the nurse midwife delivered...but they were very experienced and competent.

The biggest drawback is that some states won't allow licensing of mid-wives which impede their ability to have doctor/thospital backup (Georgia). I was VERY blessed to have had this opportunity and all my children got to see their younger siblings born...

I personally think this is the safest way to go...they screen so high risk people would not be able to deliver at home. I had babies in the 80's and the trend since has been that hospitals have set up rooms that are more like home with nurse midwives...but there are certain hospital protocols that must be followed. Hospitals also do water births now. Do your research and you will find all the info you need.

I did the Bradley method of classes to prepare for childbirth and that was very intensive teaching to help prepare me. I feel it was all win-win for everyone involved. I could list MANY things that were not done because I was at home. Personally I was a very satisfied customer.