About 1 in 200 women in the U.S. gives birth at home, and that number is rising. Home birth is not for every woman due to the risks associated with it. Home birth may be an option for you if you meet these three criteria: You are in excellent health, you’re expecting an uncomplicated pregnancy, and you live close to a hospital in case you need to go there.
Make sure you fit this profile before you decide on a home birth:
– You have been having a healthy pregnancy and do not have any conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis, or lupus.
– You have not had a C-section or preterm delivery at a previous birth.
– You are not pregnant with twins, triplets, or more.
– Your baby is not expected to be larger than 8 pounds, 8 ounces
– You can get to a hospital in 15 minutes or less.
Once you’re closer to your due date, there are a couple of other important conditions to consider before delivering your baby at home:
– Your baby should be ready to come out head first. (Babies generally rotate into a head-down position sometime between 32 and 36 weeks.)
– You should be between weeks 36 and 41 of your pregnancy — if your labor starts before or after that window, it’s best to head to a hospital.
here’s more info: http://www.webmd.com/baby/home-birth-is-it-safe-for-you
