Antidote to ‘Net Stories on Jessa Duggar’s “Scary” Home Birth

Amid the ‘net brouhaha over Jessa Duggar’s postpartum transfer for severe bleeding after home birth, one article stands out as the voice of sanity: “Jessa Duggar’s midwife did exactly what she should have done” explains that the system worked exactly as it should when complications arise at a home birth.

The Take-Away: Women considering home birth should ask prospective home birth midwives:

• Under what circumstances do you recommend transferring to a hospital?
• How would you deal with the umbilical cord coming down ahead of the baby, a baby who is slow to begin breathing, or heavy bleeding after the birth?
• What are your arrangements if I or the baby should require hospital transport? What about urgent transport?