NewsWest 9
ODESSA - It's a growing trend across the United States. More women are giving birth at home and it's happening in the Permian Basin.
According to a study done by the National Center for Health Statistics, research suggests there's been a 20% increase in at-home births. Most recent numbers show that increase happened between 2004 and 2008.
NewsWest 9 spoke with one midwife who tells says she's busy because many West Texas Women want to have their children at home too.
"Birth is a natural function of the body and it's not something you need a lot of assistance," Dawn Cockrell said.
And it's something more mothers want to try.
Cockrell had her own home delivery in 1994. She's now a licensed midwife, and 10 years and 250 babies later, Dawn is busy trying to keep up with the demand of her services.
She's estimates a 15% increase in West Texas and she's booked through early 2012.
"I'm already booked to almost February," Dawn said. "We have women calling before they're pregnant saying 'I plan to be pregnant, leave my spot open.'"
Dawn said many women are looking for better options when it comes to having a baby.
"They want to be with their family members but their limited to two in a room," she said. "They don't want an epesiotomy. In the home birth environment, everything is calm."
They're also cheaper. An at-home birth can be a third to almost half the cost of a hospital delivery but Neonatologist Dr. Sanjay Patel said there are big concerns.
"The biggest emergency in OB-GYN is uterine rupture where you can lose baby and mom," he said. "People need to be aware of those kinds of complications."
Advocates of home births said the risk is low, but many doctors are still wary.
"If you are very healthy, it may be safe," Dr. Patel said. "A risk is there, always, when you deliver a baby."
Dawn said health and safety are top priorities for midwives. She hopes the two fields can eventually come together so more mothers can have the births they desire.
"We don't take chances with the life of mother or baby," she said. "Number one thing in midwifery that we're looking for is a bridge between physicians and midwives. We're here to stay."
