By Morenike Taira
IS it an option you have considered?

With rising costs of hospital births and ward mix ups, it is becoming an increasingly attractive option to have the baby at home. Even then, there are different options, with other benefits including having the opportunity to take care of older kids, giving birth in familiar environment and better care from doctor and family members. But what does it entail?

For centuries giving birth at home was the norm. By the 1900’s increasing numbers of women started having their babies at hospitals. As our understanding of anatomy, modern medicine, the mechanics’ of childbirth, and technology have significantly increased, more and more women have been willing to consider the option of having a home birth.

This option involves the participation of trained midwives or nurse-midwives in cases of low-risk, healthy pregnancies. As interest in home birth increases, the number of studies and amount of data will continue to grow to provide us with a greater understanding of the related risks and benefits. The following information is designed to help women make an informed decision.

Is a home  birth right for me?

Home birth can be an option for you if you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy or you want to avoid an episiotomy, cesarean section, epidural and other similar interventions.

When should I never consider a home birth?

A home birth is not for you if are diabetic yhave chronic high blood pressure, or toxemia (also known aspreeclampsia) yhave experienced in the past, oare at risk for preterm labor now or ypartner does not fully support your decision to give birth at home.

What do I need for a home birth?

Apart from the midwife herself, you need oxygen for the baby if needed, IV’s for mom if she becomes dehydrated or needs additional nutrient, sterile gloves, gauze pads, cotton hat for the baby, drop cloths, waterproof covers for the bed, a thermometer, a pan for sitz baths after birth.

Also, Fetoscopes or ultrasonic stethoscopes, medications to slow or stop a hemorrhage, special herbal preparations, homeopathic remedies, massage supplies/techniques and perhaps even acupuncture needles. You will also need items for suturing tears

What are the chances I will be transferred to the hospital?

They are less than average. approximately 40% of first time mothers and 10% of women who have previously given birth are transferred to the hospital for delivery.

Why would a transfer occur?

Some of the reasons women are transferred include the mother feeling exhausted and does not want to continue, premature rupture of membranes, hblood pressure and slowprogress with labor.  Others include fdistress, cprolapse and h

What other tips do I  need?

Apart from devouring as much literature as possible, do Put together a health care team consisting of a midwife and an obstetrician. Interview several midwives regarding their birth philosophy. You might be more comfortable with a midwife who shares your view of birth, Also write out a Plan B in case a hospital transfer is necessary  and find out if your midwife works with a backup OB/GYN. Find a pediatrician who will examine the baby within 24 hours of the birth.

ASA: The Gay question

Everybody loves Asa, at least as far as music lovers are concerned,  so who would think she has it in her to draw the battle line with the celeb press, which is her biggest promoter by the way?

Well, she did.  A law suit between a Lagos based celebrity journal, News Of the People and soulful singer, Bukola Elemide popularly known as Asa came up at the Lagos High Court Igbosere presided over by Justice A.J Coker (Mrs). Asa is upset, apparently, that the journal had referred to her as a lesbian and she alleges defamation, asking for damages running into hundreds of millions of naira.

Not only is Asa engaging in a losing battle by fighting the (gutter) press and using a bad lawyer, she is raising a very important question about lesbianism and the way society views it.

Asa is clearly on the anti gay side of the divide, or  would otherwise not go to such lengths to prove her straightness. If we all agree that being gay is not a crime, Asa’s lawyer would have considerable trouble proving damages; or would she?

The debate continues…

NIGERIA Takes the Chair of WAWA’s Governing Body

WEST African Women Association (WAWA) Nigeria chapter focal person Chief Mrs Beatrice O. Ubeku MFR has emerged as the new  Chairperson of the governing body of WAW A of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with fifteen National Chapters in the sub region for the next one year.

The overall objective of  WAWA is to mobilize women from the 15 countries in West Africa to participate in  a series of workshops and conferences; in order to mobilize African women within the subregion  and globally for economic empowerment and development. With this in view, WAWA Nigeria has been networking with various Francophone and Anglophone women in wide ranging activities through its capacity project WAWA/CBP.

WAWA operates from its headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. To work with Nigeria (Mrs Ubeku) on the Governing body  are two vice presidents from Niger and Cape Verde respectively, A secretary general from Togo and her deputy from the Republic of Guinea, as well as members from Mali, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone and Senegal respectively.