Question

List 3 risks and 3 benefits associated with home birth. How would you as the nurse educate the patient about these risks.

Answer 1

The major risk associated with home birth are

• Death of infant
• Seizure
• Intrapartum hemorrhage
• A low APGAR score for neonates

As a nurse the following things as to be explained to the patient regarding the risk

• Conduct a home birth with assistance from a mid wives who can generally assess and identify the progress of labour and intervene appropriately to treat any abnormalities
• Ensure the availability of a pediatrician for any rescue operations
• Do not plan for home birth is placenta is low lying ,mother with certain disease like acth,a,infectious disease, low immunity, or eclampsia because this can risk both the mother and newborn
• Make sure the healthcare setup is within 15 minutes of reach from home to handle any emergencies
• Shift the patient immediately in case of breathing difficulties, altered consciousness, heaving bleeding ,leg presentation, poor progress of labour.

The benefits are

• A more comfortable environment for a women to deliver ,gives emotional support
• No expense
• The morbidity of the women is greatly decreased