Essay Sample on Hospital Versus Home Births

Introduction

Giving birth is a normal and natural process which needs to be taken as a normal biological procedure and not a pathological experience. Therefore home deliveries under proper circumstances and conducive environment that has trained midwife should be encouraged instead of hospital births. There is an increase in the number of hospital births that leads to excessive and unnecessary medical intervention such as medications hence increasing the costs of giving birth. This article is a policy analysis that will answer the question; 'What measures should be taken by the legislature and hospital management to reduce these problems?' The policy analysis in the healthcare sector should involve all the stakeholders who include; the healthcare providers, the legislature, and the healthcare users so as to formulate policies that favour home delivery with favourable environment and reduction of medical interventions that are being over utilized by the hospitals (Eitelbaum & Wilensky, 2013).

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Background Information

Giving birth was traditionally a natural process which allowed women to experience labour and deliver children through the normal way which gave the mother a unique connection to the child due to the pain associated with childbirth. Epstein, Lake & New Line Home Entertainment (Firm), (2008), through the film; 'The Business of Being Born' criticizes the American healthcare sector as it emphasizes on costly interventions and medicines. Therefore, there should be a formulation of policies that encourage home deliveries and reduced medical interventions in hospitals. Childbirth is seen as a medical issue and not a natural occurrence. The reasons for the overuse of medical interventions include the interest of saving time and the endeavours of the hospitals to make money out of the childbirth.

Hospital Child Birth

Advantages of Hospital Births

Many women prefer to give birth in hospitals since mothers feel safe labouring in the hospital. The hospital also provides a safe environment for the mother and the baby if there are any complications or need for medical attention. Being in the hospital also helps one to avoid last minute transfer to the hospital if any medical problems arise. The hospital is the only option in the event of the need for caesarean section. In the hospital, immediate attention for the child is available if the new-born needs medical care (Wax, Lucas, Lamont, Pinette, Cartin & Blackstone, 2010).

Disadvantages of Hospital Births

The hospitals view childbirth as pathology and not a natural occurrence hence excessive use of medical interventions which lead to increased cost of giving birth. The hospitals are usually associated with illnesses and parents are not on home ground hence they do not have freedom and control they would have at home. The hospitals are impersonal and intimidating as they are large institutions that have rules, policies and red tape hence they cannot be altered to accommodate an individual (Olsen & Clausen, 2012). The father of the baby being born is less actively involved in the hospital setting. The mother is also managed by medical experts that have been trained in pathology and not normal childbirths. There is also an increased risk of iatrogenic complications as well as infections to the mother and the baby. The mother is at risk of undergoing unnecessary caesarean section (Olsen & Clausen, 2012).

Options/Recommendations

The legislature should formulate policies that favour home births instead of hospital births as hospital births have more disadvantages than advantages. More midwives should be trained to make a home have a conducive environment for women to give birth. The hospitals should also reduce the excessive use of medical interventions in childbirth.

Advantages of Home Births

The cost of a birth is low as there is reduced medical interventions. Pregnancy and childbirth are seen as a normal process and not a disease. Home deliveries with trained midwives are safer than hospital births as there are individualized services. The woman giving birth has privacy and comfort as she is at the comfort of her home. Labour progresses normally without unnecessary interventions. There is a reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections (American Pregnancy Association, 2017).

Disadvantages of Home Births

Although there are numerous factors that favour home births, there are serious risks as the mother assumes great level for their own health. In case of complications, caesarean sections and other medical interventions are not available (Cohen, 2008).

Conclusion

Childbirth is a natural process and not a pathology hence there should be no excessive use of a medical intervention that are offered by the hospitals. The hospitals are in the business hence extort money from the clients by offering unnecessary interventions. Both hospital and home births have advantages and disadvantages but hospital births have more disadvantages. The legislature should formulate policies to encourage home deliveries such as ensuring the training of midwives. The hospitals should also reduce the use of excessive medical intervention so as to lower costs.

Reference

American Pregnancy Association. (2017, Jul 19). Home Birth. Retrieved from https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-andbirth/home-birth/

Cohen, J. (2008, Sep). The Homebirth Choice. Retrieved from https://midwiferytoday.com/web-article/the-homebirth-choice/

Eitelbaum, J.B., & Wilensky, S.E. (2013). Essentials of Health Policy and Law (3rd Ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Epstein, A., Lake, R., & New Line Home Entertainment (Firm). (2008). The Business of Being Born. Burbank, CA: New Line Home Entertainment.

Olsen, O., & Clausen, J. A. (2012). Planned Hospital Birth Versus Planned Home Birth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9, CD000352. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000352.pub2/

Wax, J.R., Lucas, F.L., Lamont M., Pinette, M. G., Cartin, A., & Blackstone, J. (2010). Maternal and New-born Outcomes in Planned Home Birth Vs Planned Hospital Births: A Metaanalysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 203(243).e1-8.