Out of hospital birth
If you are experiencing a healthy, low risk pregnancy, birth is generally very safe for both you and your baby regardless of care provider (midwife or doctor) and setting (home, birth center or hospital)
1st baby stats
For every 1000 babies born, 998 are born alive and live past 28 days regardless of whether they were born at home or in hospital
Rates of complications
Compared with hospital, planning birth at home or in a birth centre is associated with lower rates of
obstetrical complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, perineal trauma (3rd and 4th degree tears)
and episiotomy.
After 1st baby stats
For every 1000 babies born, 999 are born alive and live past 28 days regardless of whether they were born at home or in hospital
Higher rates of vaginal birth
Compared with hospital, planning birth at home or in a birth center is associated with higher rates of
spontaneous vaginal birth.
Less intervention
People who plan to give birth at the hospital have a greater chance of birth interventions like C-section and assisted vaginal delivery (forceps or vacuum) than people who plan to give birth at home
The bottom line
Regardless of what the research says, the most important thing is that YOU feel safe in your chosen birth environment. Your midwife will support your decision to birth where you feel the most comfortable!