Postdate Protocols for Homebirth Practice

by Paula M. Hostler | December 1, 2008

Modern obstetrical practice is to employ a variety of fetal testing options followed by induction, in some cases as early as 38 weeks. For midwifery care at home, where interventions are kept to a minimum, midwives and their clients strive to find a less invasive and safe approach for postdate pregnancies. This paper explores the possibility that induction and fetal surveillance methods are not the answer; that a more intuitive and multi-tiered approach should be employed for each particular woman and birth.