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?