Home Birth Guidelines

Recommendations for protecting mom and baby during home birth.

Although it’s still not the norm, more American women are opting to have their babies at home. If you’re considering a home birth, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommendations so your baby will get the very best start on life. They include:

• Using only midwives certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
• Having a minimum of 2 individuals attending each delivery.
• Having at least one person whose primary responsibility is to care for the newborn and who is trained to resuscitate the infant if the need arises
• Checking all medical equipment, as well as the telephone, before the big day
• and having a backup plan with a nearby medical facility in case of emergency.

AAP guidelines also include a detailed physical exam, monitoring of temperature, heart and respiratory rates, feeding assessment and other newborn screenings.