Dear all,
one of my Bachelor students brought up the question if it is safe to do a homebirth when you antenatally know that the baby is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. An experienced midwife once told me that children with Down Syndrome have more abnormal heart rate patterns during childbirth, however I do not know if she excluded children with heart defects in her statement. In searching Medline and Midirs, I cannot identify studies which address this topic or even management of intrapartum care generally when Down Syndrome is diagnosed antenatally . My student is concluding that it is safe to do a home birth in case of antenatally diagnosed Down Syndrome with no organic defects.
I now do feel very upset in imagining this as a midwife and am asking myself why this is so. Is this because I unconsciously believe in the safety of the hospital? Or is it because this would be actioning against all medical authorities? Or IS there any evidence that birth is different with these babies - scientific evidence or evidence from personal experience? The question is mainly about INTRAPARTUM care, not so much for postpartum care. I would be thankful if you could contribute with your experience, knwoledge and opinion.
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