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Jun 29, 2009 11:14 pm US/Central
Home Births On The Rise, But Are They Safe?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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When Angela Hunstiger got pregnant with her second child, a friend suggested skipping the hospital and having their baby at home. Angela said she knew once she did the work it was the right choice for her.
CBS
In the last five years, the number of women having babies at home has almost doubled in Minnesota. Midwives believe reality TV and a movie called "The Business of Being Born" are pushing the old practice back into play.
For weeks, one couple from White Bear Lake let WCCO-TV cameras follow their home birth experience.
Nate and Angela Hunstiger had their first child, Thomas in a hospital three years ago.
"Even though my birth experience with Thomas was good. I always had a feeling it just didn't need to be that way," Angela said.
During her prenatal visits when she was pregnant with Thomas, Angela didn't get to spend as much time with her doctor as she wanted. And when she delivered, she felt rushed. She said it just didn't feel natural to her.
"I think people don't realize they have the option of asking questions and saying no, seeking a caregiver that shares their values for different things," she said.
When Angela got pregnant with her second child, a friend suggested skipping the hospital and having their baby at home. Angela said she knew once she did the work it was the right choice for her.
"I started doing the research. It was pretty clear to me. It's not like some hippie thing people do, it's a research-based decision," she said.
"She has done the research," said her husband Nate. "She's the one that's passionate about it and I'm supportive of that."
They stocked their bedroom for the birth, filling their room with a hose, a birthing tub, washcloths and diapers.
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For the past four months, Aly Folin, who is a licensed midwife in Minnesota, has been working with the Hunstigers to prepare them for their home birth.
In her four years in practice, Folin has helped deliver more than 200 babies.
For the most part, Folin lets parents call the shots about what goes on. Parents can decide what tests mothers and babies go through before and after birth.
"Once most women have a home birth they don't want to do it any other way," Folin said.
Still, most midwives will tell you the decision to have a baby at home is not necessarily right for every mother. Hospitals are the only place to be for women who have any kind of health issue or high-risk pregnancy. Midwives also want a hospital nearby if there's an emergency.
For the women who do decide to deliver at home, comfort usually plays a big part in the decision.
"When you go to the hospital, you're confronted with strangers that you've never met before, bright lights, people wanting to be in your space and monitoring you," said Folin, "(whereas) we've established a relationship with a person over time so there's that trust."
"Your body can relax," added Angela. "You can relax around the house. You can be dressed however you do or don't want to be dressed. You can have who you want there and who you don't want not there."
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In the early morning hours of May 30, it's time.
The Hunstigers room is dark. There is quiet music playing in the background.
Nate tells his wife she is doing great and Folin thinks the time is coming after almost five hours of labor.
"It seems like she's about to be pushing with every contraction, so it seems the baby is going to be here soon," Folin says.
With one final push, a little boy is born in a water tub and placed right into the arms of his mother.
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Angela and Nate agreed it was just the experience they wanted.
"That was amazing. Looking back I wish I had known that the first time so I could have had that the first time," Angela said.
"Everyone was just really calm, really relaxed. It was just the environment we wanted," Nate added.
Michael Nathan weighed 9 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. Two weeks later, when the family returned to visit Aly Folin at her office, he weighed in at 11 pounds, 6 ounces.
"He's a good eater," Angela said.
Folin will continue to perform checkups on Angela and the new baby for two months.
Angela and Nate know home birth is not for everyone, but they are thankful Michael was able to come into the world just the way they wanted him to.
"It was such a huge blessing to have it turned out the way that we had hoped after preparing so much for it," Angela said.
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In Minnesota, insurance won't contract with midwifes. Usually, it will cost a few thousand dollars up front and the midwife will bill insurance later. Depending on out-of-network benefits, mothers can receive as much as half of the cost back.
Many doctors do not support the idea of having a baby at home.
Dr. Beth Elfstrand chairs the OB/GYN department at Abbott Northwestern. In 20 years, she has seen how fast things can change in the delivery room. She wanted to send a strong message to mothers thinking about it.
"I understand you want that experience, but I really want you to consider your baby's future and the best outcome of your baby," she said. "I think the safety features the hospital has to offer far outweigh what your personal experience on that particular day could bring you."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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