Babies Online - The Blog

According to information found online, more women are becoming interested in the idea of home births. As one website points out, women gave birth at home for centuries but eventually as attitudes and medicine evolved, hospital became the birth environment of choice.

TV adventurer Bear Grylls, of Man Vs. Wild fame recently spoke about the decision he and his wife made to have their third child at home on their houseboat in London. The first issue that will probably cross anyone’s mind at this thought is the baby’s safety. Statistics suggest that as long as the woman is enjoying a healthy and risk free pregnancy, a home delivery is normally problem-free. She must also have a qualified midwife or nurse on hand to assist with the delivery.

Grylls was quoted as saying on their decision to opt for a home birth, “My wife loves home and is quite scared of hospitals, so I was like, ‘We’ve got a toolbox and a crowbar…” Crowbar jokes aside, the fear that some women have of hospitals is somewhat understandable. It should be kept in mind however that with any birth there is always the risk of complications, no matter how smoothly the pregnancy went.

Luckily Shara Grylls had a natural home birth with no problems. Her husband was quoted online, “There was the standard amount of blood and gore but you put loads of towels down… but it all went fine and an hour later the blood and gore is gone and you’re there at home.” Their third son Huckleberry was born on January 15 and by all reports is healthy and happy.

Grylls has confessed that he did have some trepidation to begin with. I am sure most prospective parents would, and it pays to be aware of potential risks in these situations. If you are considering a home birth these factors could help you make that decision:

• Your pregnancy is healthy and low-risk

• You prefer to be with your family and friends during delivery

• You prefer to be in a setting that you are used to

• You don’t want to feel pressured to opt for procedures such as epidurals

You should rule out having your baby at home if these points relate to you:

• If there is a history of high blood pressure

• If your partner is against the idea it may not be the best decision. You should be fully supported during delivery

• If you have had birth complications in the past, such as preeclampsia

• If you suffer from diabetes or some other serious health condition

Congratulations to Bear Grylls and his wife Shara on the birth of their third son. I am glad that their natural home birth went well. If you are considering this for yourself or your partner be sure to arm yourself with all the necessary information, and be guided by your doctor.

Read More

• For Bear Grylls The Adventure Continues With Another Baby

Posted by Jessdel27 on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Celebrities.
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Tags: Bear Grylls, Birth environment, home birth, Man vs. Wild, risks of home birth
Posted in: Celebrities