Yes, home birth is safe for low risk pregnant people. Greater than 90% of pregnant people are low risk. Planned home births with a qualified provider reduces the use of medical interventions like pharmaceutical labor augmentation and induction, spinal-epidural anesthesia, forceps, vacuum extraction, and cesarean delivery. When higher risk complications arise, a hospital birth is a safer option. find out more info here https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub3/full

Home birth with midwives is common for low-risk people in many other industrialized countries (Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, most Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, Japan, the list goes on), and the safety of home birth with midwives is well-established and accepted.  In fact, in the UK there is a push to get low-risk people out of the hospital and have their babies at home or in birth centers with midwives because the obstetricians are recognized as specialists in high-risk pregnancies.  US obstetricians are trained as high-risk providers too, but our culture values high-risk specialists caring for low-risk people.  Midwifery education is focused extensively on normal pregnancy and birth, and midwives are often considered to be the "experts" in normal birth.  The best research concludes that midwife led care results in better birth outcomes.

Home birth studies which include those who have high risk pregnancies show more negative outcomes for the baby than studies that only include low risk, healthy pregnant people during pregnancy and birth.  For that reason, Midwife Aliaja only attendsbirth at home if a person has a normal, healthy pregnancy and birth.

Licensed midwives can take care of low risk women in the pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum period. A large majority of women are considered low risk and good candidates for home birth. Factors that may risk you out of care with a midwife include certain chronic illnesses and their medications, hypertension, diabetes, serious unresolved heart conditions/defects, certain types of prior cesareans, blood clotting disorders, and serious abnormalities in the fetus detected by ultrasound or genetic testing.

Both midwives and OB-GYNs provide comprehensive maternity care to women throughout the childbearing year. OB-GYNs work in hospitals while midwives work primarily in out of hospital settings. OBs are surgeons who are best fit to care for high risk women. OB-GYNs typically follow the medical model of care, while licensed midwives practice the midwifery model of care. The midwifery model of care is more holistic in that your provider looks at your physical, psychologic and social health; seeing the pregnant person as a whole being along with their family. Midwives take into account every aspect of your life, health, mind, and body. This means that your midwife practices the art of preventive care rather than reactive care, focuses on full-body wellness, and expertly blends extensive knowledge in natural treatment and prevention adapted from ancient practices with modern medicine, techniques, and equipment. The midwifery model of care has been proven as the safest and most effective model for low risk and healthy pregnancies.

You can switch over to midwifery care no matter how far along you are! It is the patients responsibility to provide the midwife with your records at your initial visit or have them faxed over. BEARTH SIDE ACCDEPTS LATE TRANSFERS :)

A variety of factors may risk you out of midwifery care. Factors such as twin pregnancy, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, drop in fetal heart rate during labor, seizure or history of seizures are all reasons to see an OB for higher level care. We will assess risk during a phone consult.

Licensed midwives are extensively trained and educated for every possible emergency. Licensed midwives have a protocol for all obstetrical emergencies and are prepared to act upon them. The many medications, supplies, equipment, skills and knowledge that are brought to each birth allow midwives to handle many emergencies smoothly at home, and know when to transport to the closest hospital. Emergency hospital transfers are typically facilitated via EMS and the midwife transfers with you.

If the midwife at any time feels that you or your baby would be safer delivering in the hospital, we will facilitate the transfer to the hospital in the most efficient way possible. We will always call the hospital and notify them of the transfer & fax your records accordingly. If the reason for transfer is non-emergent, we may be able to drive to the hospital in your private vehicle. If the reason for transfer is emergent, we will transfer to the hospital via EMS. We will go to the hospital with you, and if possible, stay with you once you are admitted to labor & delivery. 

Within a 45 minute radius of SE Portland, OR. Areas Include Portland, Tigard, Gresham, Tualatin, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Vancouver WA, Camas WA.

We carry everything needed for a normal physiologic birth and the rare emergency birth including: fetal doppler, blood pressure monitor, stethoscope, thermometer, baby scale, baby measuring blanket, lab drawing supplies, birth and suture instruments, anti-hemorrhagic medications (pitocin, misoprostol, methergine), epinephrine, ammonia, IV fluids and supplies, IV antibiotics, vitamin K, erythromycin ointment, oxygen tank, newborn resuscitation supplies, catheters, enemas, sterile and non-sterile gloves, gauze, lube, suturing supplies, herbs and homeopathic medicines.

Water birth is a safe and effective form of natural pain relief. Studies attest to water birth as an aid in reducing perineal injury during delivery. Before learning about water birth, parents often worry about their baby’s ability to breathe while under water. However, when babies are first born they are still attached to the umbilical and continue to receive all needed oxygen, and they don’t have a reflex to take their first deep breathe until exposed to air.

Bearth Side is a huge proponent of vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) and we proudly offer home birth after a cesarean (HBAC).