Midwives Model of Care
Midwives use a “low-tech, high caring” model that centers the family and their informed choices. The Midwives Model of Care™ has been found to reduce birth injury, trauma, and surgical interventions while supporting the physical, psychological, and social well-being of pregnant and birthing people. Home birth has excellent safety outcomes!
Washington is #1 in midwifery integration
Studies show that safety outcomes are best for parents and babies where midwives are more integrated into the regional healthcare system. Washington state is #1 in this regard (Vedam et al., 2018) and your midwives work constantly to strengthen relationships between providers across the region.
Midwives come prepared
Licensed Midwives carry oxygen, medications to prevent and treat hemorrhage and other emergencies, suture equipment for mild-moderate tears, IV supplies, and more. They bring this equipment to every home birth equipment birth center birth. They are highly trained in neonatal resuscitation as well as adult CPR.
Lower rates of interventions & complications
Numerous studies have shown that compared to planned hospital births, planned home births are associated with significantly lower rates of intervention and parental complications, including much lower rates of cesarean birth (Cheyney et al., 2014; Hutton et al., 2009; Janssen et al., 2009; Johnson & Daviss, 2000).
Safe for Babies
High-quality studies have demonstrated that there is no difference in rates of stillbirth or newborn death in planned home births compared to planned hospital births (de Jong et al., 2009; Janssen et al., 2009)
Low Rates of Urgent Transfers
Overall, the rate of transfer from home birth to hospital is 11%. People giving birth for the first time (nulliparas) are more likely to transfer (23%) compared to those giving birth for the second or more time (8%). Urgent transfers are very rare, and the most commons reasons to transfer to the hospital is "failure to progress" and a desire for pain relief (Cheyney et al., 2014).