THE PLOWBOY INTERVIEW

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The problem is that too many medical people have restricted notions, based on what they've been taught in school, of what's normal. Many home birth practitioners are also overly cautious about births they'll attend . . . simply because they want their statistics to look as good as possible in case they ever get taken to court.

PLOWBOY: Then how does a woman decide whether she's really a high-risk case who should deliver at a hospital?

TOMPSON: If I were in a possibly risky situation, I'd consult a doctor or midwife who'd had a lot of experience with home births.

PLOWBOY: To assure a safe home birth, is it best to arrange for hospital backup to handle any emergencies?

TOMPSON: Yes, the parents should do all they can to make provisions, in advance, so that they can rush to the hospital if necessary.

PLOWBOY: Let's examine the worst possible case. What happens if a crisis occurs at home that's too urgent to be left untreated during a ride to the hospital?

TOMPSON: Those opposed to home birth — including people in the medical profession — frequently cite such a "crisis case" as a scare tactic. One doctor, for instance, has said that supporting home birth is like lining up 15 people and then deciding to shoot one. Another told a woman he could never perform a home delivery for her because, as a result of the "unsterile environment", many babies born at home die from rotted navels!

People used to attack breastfeeding in much the same way. Critics would say, "You're not doing the best for your baby . . . you're doing it just for yourself." In fact, my obstetrician's partner, a woman, once said to me, "Do you know, I've heard that if you nurse too long, your baby will get thick lips?"

PLOWBOY: It's hard to believe that anyone could accept such ideas!

TOMPSON: Yes, but similar notions are still common. So the first point I want to make in response to your question about a home birth crisis is that few people would want to live life always fearing the worst possible outcome or constantly being vulnerable to thinly veiled scare tactics. On the other hand, I won't dodge your question . . . I'll admit that some babies born at home are going to die. If a baby of mine died that way, it'd be a great sorrow . . . but there are no guarantees in life that I know of.

I should also tell you about a recent development that's increased the risk of home births . . . namely, that more and more hospitals won't provide good emergency backup. Hospitals are supposed to be the havens, the healing centers, for people . . . yet in such instances those very institutions are creating extra dangers.

PLOWBOY: What can a couple do if they find they can't count on prompt hospital help in an emergency?

TOMPSON: Well, the parents will have to weigh all the factors and come to their own decision. They may be better off just having the baby at home anyway. Some people who live in areas where hospitals are known to be terrible, and who can't find any competent delivery help, just go ahead without any attendant at all.

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