While it may go against a parent's inclination to stay home longer during labor, there are many advantages to doing so if the laboring mother is low-risk and not experiencing any complications. Find out reasons why expectant parents should avoid getting to the hospital too soon.
Staying Home Longer Aids Mobility
Changing positions during labor is crucial to help with pain relief. Laboring at the hospital almost always involves fetal monitoring, which limits mother's ability to move freely. Being strapped with fetal monitors, IVs and other devices restricts her mobility. This is one reason why laboring at home longer is a very attractive option for many mothers who want to move about freely.
Moms May Eat and Drink as Desired at Home
Many hospitals still restrict mother's food intake during labor. Some hospital policies do allow for clear fluids, but it is rare to run across a hospital that will allow mothers to have any solid food while in labor. Staying home in early labor and through some of active labor allows mothers to eat and drink as they desire. Eating lightly and drinking throughout labor has been shown to help mothers have increased stamina without adding additional risk.
Labor Can Seem Shorter if Moms Stay Home Longer
The longer parents are hanging out in the hospital labor room, the longer labor seems. This is one reason for why labor inductions can feel longer than going into labor on your own since moms are in the hospital from their very first contraction. If mothers stay home until active labor, she may very well feel as if her labor is much shorter than spending all of those additional hours in the hospital.
Moms Rest Better While at Home During Labor
Hospitals and even some birthing centers can be busy places at all hours of the night and day. Lots of people means extra noise which can make it hard for mothers to rest. Surprisingly the noise and disruption both inside and outside the labor room can make it hard for mothers to rest even if they have an epidural on board. Why not take advantage of the quiet in the privacy of your own home for as long as possible?
More Labor Interventions Can be Avoided by Staying Home
The longer mothers remain at home, the more their labor will progress at the pace it needs to. Labor often has a natural ebb and flow; slowing down at various intervals and then picking back up again. It is much more likely that if mom's labor slows down while at the hospital, there will be pressure for her to accept interventions such as having her water broken or getting pitocin.
Arriving too Soon Can Increase Labor Complications
Experts have also noticed that moms who arrive at the hospital when their cervix is at a smaller dilation are more likely to have more labor complications. In fact, staying home longer during labor may be one significant way to avoid having a cesarean.
Another reason to stay home longer is that it can help to decrease the risk of infection. Being admitted sooner and a longer hospital stay increases mom's exposure to hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Spending more time at home also can translate to fewer vaginal exams, also decreasing the risk of infection to mother and baby.
It is always a good idea to talk to your care provider to find out if you have the option to stay home as long as possible during labor. Unless you are high-risk, have a history of fast labors or other health concerns, in most cases, there are many benefits to avoid getting to the hospital too early.
References:
McDermott, AM., "Factors Associated with Non-Normal Birth Outcomes," Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, March-Apr. 2010.
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
