Homebirth in Alaska ?

[grcelizabeth]

DH is considering becoming an Alaska State Trooper and I'm a student Midwife so I'm interested in midwifery/homebirth in that state. Is homebirth more common there just because hospitals are far away and bad weather to drive in? I'm just curious as I don't know much about AK. Any help would be great.

[phoebemommy]

Hi! You should check out the Alaska section in "Finding Your Tribe". I don't know if homebirth is more common here -- women who live way out in the bush (an airplane ride away from a hospital) often come to Anchorage a few weeks before their due date to birth in the hospital or birth center. Or, I know sometimes they homebirth by flying in a midwife, but with no back-up hospital it's less desirable to most people. But in Anchorage (and probably other larger cities), homebirth isn't the norm or anything, but it's certainly an accepted alternative.

We drive in all sorts of weather up here. They keep the roads clear, mostly, and you learn quickly how to deal with the conditions. There are certain areas that get cut off by avalanches and stuff sometimes, but generally, if there's a hospital to drive to, people can drive there.