Looking At the Risks Involved In Giving Birth At Home

By Jamie McGriff, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Many Oklahoma parents are now considering giving birth at home rather than the hospital as a way to help save money.

Doctors agree it can help save costs, but if something goes wrong, it could end up costing you more.

We have found that there are a lot of reasons why women decide to give birth at home.  Like a more intimate environment. Dr. Stacy Noland, a Tulsa doctor wants women to be extremely careful when making a decision to have an at-home birth.

Dr. Noland says there are women who are looking at the cost and want to avoid having a hefty hospital bill. That is one of the reasons why babies are born at home with a midwife. But Dr. Noland says a mom should look at the big picture, especially if something goes wrong.

"And if you do have the complication, even a small complication, where baby won't deliver, there are reasons why we do C-sections. Sometimes the child is just too large to fit through the mother's pelvis. Then not only do you have the cost that you've already paid the midwife. You know have the cost of the physician to do the delivery as well as the hospital costs. So it can certainly become much more expensive," said Dr. Stacy Noland.

If complications do come up, it could put the mother and baby at risk.

Dr. Nolan recommends you talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of at-home birth before making a final decision.