This obviously is not a problem when labor and birth occur at home. At home a woman is free to carryon her usual activities when in early labor which often helps to distract her from any discomfort. She may continue to eat and drink familiar foods without restriction. Even in emergency situations regional anesthesia is attempted first. Aspiration is not a problem with regional anesthesia.
Most physicians share call with other doctors for off-hours.
Only in the home environment can birth be truly woman and baby centered. The average time a woman spends with her obstetrician is six minutes during a prenatal visit. Vanita's routine prenatal appointments are one hour long. Midwifery care encompasses the entire woman- physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. The home is a more intimate setting than a hospital.