Pregnancy and The Risks of Home Birth

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If you are pregnant and planning on home delivery, the first question you need to ask yourself is it safe? Most women plan having their babies at home without putting into consideration the risks involved, thereby putting their lives and that of their babies in the hands of a midwife. Some of these midwives are not well trained while some were never trained. Here in Nigeria there is high maternal mortality rate during child bearing.  

Some pregnancies are high risk (ectopic) pregnancies and need the urgent attention of a gynecologist to avoid any uncertainty. Most maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortion, hemorrhage, infection, eclampsia (very high blood pressure  and other health complications that get worse in pregnancy. Most of these deaths occur as a result of poor health facilities, some happen as a result of ignorance. For no reason the woman skip birthing classes and  still plan on home birth, while some take to home birth because they are illiterates and do not have an idea what the  implications are. Read On

The Tragedies Associated To Home Delivery With Little Benefits 

During home  birth if something  goes wrong, the consequences may be more severe for the baby. Complication may set in during delivery and the attention of an expert – a Gynaecologist or an Obstetrician is needed. During home birth something  can go wrong and the consequences may be more severe for the baby. Because at home the midwife may not have idea if the woman is infected with a disease that is transmittable or good resuscitation skills. But in the hospital, they have good hands to assist and stand by equipment’s like an incubator or an AED Machine.  With these system in place, risks to mother and child is reduced;   Research has it that there is an alarming death rate of infants born on home birthing.   

In Nigeria generally speaking, the level of poverty - cost implication of hospital delivery; is the reason most women take to home birth instead of hospital delivery without considering the implications.  There are affordable government health centers located in your area, find out which one is closer to you and get registered for antenatal. When planning home delivery do not disregard the consequences, and the risk you are intending put you and your innocent baby through if something goes wrong; you may  need to sit down and think it through. Undoubtedly, the option of home delivery should be assessed because the risks involved are high, way higher than the cost of hospital delivery.

Home Birth Information: The Ugly Truth about Home Home Births

Unicef  has it on record that preventable or treatable infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles and HIV/AIDS account for morality rate in Nigeria. The fact still remains that something “could” go wrong at any time in the course of your pregnancy, Sometimes one might be pregnant without knowing the baby is bridged or the mom have some health issues  that need to be attended to urgently and  this is where birthing classes and hospital birth becomes very necessary.

Note: During home delivery, threatening problems may occur without notice and there will be a need to transfer mother and child to the hospital; any delay could put both lives at risk.

Conclusion:  Hospital Delivery Are Viable Options Over Home Births

However, pregnancies and birth can be unpredictable. These women should also have quick access to obstetrician or gynaecologist care when emergency occurs. Some maternal deaths could be prevented only if the women had access to quality family planning services; skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth and after delivery. I encourage you to read some delivery stories to understand more ask the gynaecologist.