• Midwives are experts in normal physiological birth. OB/Gyn's are experts in surgery (thank God for that!), and rarely if ever, see a normal physiological birth, and close to never allow one to take place without intervention. 

 

• Midwives believe in true informed consent, bodily autonomy, and the family making informed choices without the agenda or coercion of a doctor or a medical facility. 

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• Personalized Care: Midwives often provide individualized care, spending more time with the mother during prenatal visits to understand her needs and preferences.

 

• Familiar Setting: Giving birth at home allows the mother to be in a comfortable and familiar environment, which can contribute to a more relaxed labor experience.

 

• Empowerment and Control: A home birth can give the mother more control over her birth plan, including who is present and how she wants the birthing process to proceed.

 

• Less Medical Intervention: Home birth midwives typically trust birth, the design, the process and focus on natural processes and  use fewer medical interventions unless necessary, aligning with the preferences of mothers who desire a more natural delivery with no coercion.

 

• Continuity of Care: The same midwife or team is likely to follow the mother throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, fostering trust and strong communication.

 

• Family Involvement: Home births can be more accommodating for family members to be present, allowing shared and personal experiences that can form memorable bonds.

 

• Postpartum Support: Midwives often provide enhanced postpartum support including breastfeeding help and newborn care guidance at the home.

 

• Lower Costs: Generally, home birth can be less expensive than hospital births due to little to no hospital charges, no unnecessary intervention that most of the time lead to more intervention and more complications, and the midwife's lower fees.

 

• Positive Birth Environment: The mother can create a calming atmosphere with music, dim lighting, and the presence of chosen support persons, enhancing her overall birth experience. 

 

• Focus on Holistic Health: Midwives often advocate for nutritional, emotional, and psychological health as part of the pregnancy care process, contributing to healthy outcomes for both mother and baby. 

 

• More than 96% of women if left alone (meaning their labor isn't altered by a care provider) have a normal, natural, healthy birth and baby.

 

These factors collectively can contribute to a safer,  positive, and satisfying birthing experience for women who seek a more natural, personal, supported and empowered approach to childbirth. 

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As of 2023 in Deschutes county Oregon statistics were:

St. Charles Bend 2,096 births, 1367 Vaginal births, 39 VBACS, 681 cesarean section.  Thats just under 33% c/s rate which is 33 out of every 100 women are having a c/s at St. Charles hospital. 

 

Homebirths with midwives were 93 Births, 90 Vaginal, 3 VBAC, 3 transfers to the hospital (unsure how many c/s) but lets say all 3 had cesareans just for fun. Thats 3.23% c/s rate.  3 out of 100 women get a c/s with a midwife in a homebirth setting. ​

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source: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BIRTHDEATHCERTIFICATES/VITALSTATISTICS/BIRTH/Documents/2023/facilcesarean23.pdf

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