Is it safe to give birth at home?

The short answer is yes. Additionally, there are many benefits to giving birth at home.

In recent years, more and increasingly higher-quality scientific studies have been published showing that it is possible to screen healthy pregnant women who wish to give birth at home so accurately that there is no reason to worry about safety.

Midwife present

This applies as long as a midwife assists the birthing person and the midwife maintains good ongoing collaboration with the nearest maternity ward, in case a transfer to the hospital becomes necessary during labor.

Fewer interventions

The studies mentioned also show that labor proceeds better when it is planned to start at home. There are 20-60% fewer interventions, such as fewer C-sections, epidurals, and labor stimulations among women who plan to give birth at home. There are also 10-30% fewer complications, such as less bleeding and fewer severe tears. It also appears that more mothers who give birth at home successfully initiate breastfeeding.

Midwives give birth at home

A study from the Midwives’ Association also shows that midwives themselves have embraced home births in line with the growing number and size of studies in this area. This provides insight that both scientific research and experienced professionals support home births for healthy pregnant women, as long as they are attended by a midwife and are in contact with a maternity ward in case a transfer becomes necessary.

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