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• Baby
• Childbirth
• Natural birth
• A natural birth at home

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A natural birth at home

If you’re a healthy pregnant woman having a low-risk pregnancy, then a home delivery could be an option for you. However, currently there are some legal issues that may affect your choice.

A home birth is a natural birth that is planned to happen at home, as opposed to at a hospital. Like all natural births, a home delivery means no medication and no foetal heart monitor or any other medical machines. Although there are a few doctors that do home births, usually it’s a qualified midwife of your choosing that helps you plan the delivery, attends to you during labour, and then takes care of both you and your baby for several hours afterwards.

Generally, those women who have home births are confident and comfortable with having their babies away from a medical environment. Several women have kindly shared their stories on this website. Have a read and be inspired!

Home birth safety

In this section we go into detail regarding safety, because there is currently lots of debate about the safety of home birth and you should be aware of all the medical and legal issues. What’s more, research findings vary from country to country and some information you read may not accurately reflect how it is in Australia. This may be because outcomes for home deliveries in some countries aren’t as good as they are for Aussie home births, which are attended by experienced midwives.

Evidence shows that going through labour at home increases a woman’s likelihood of a delivery that is both satisfying and safe. In fact, many studies show that with low risk pregnancies, having a home delivery is no more dangerous than a delivery in a hospital. It’s important to know that NO study has ever proven hospital birth to be safer than a planned midwife-attended home birth.
But what happens if complications do occur at home? Find out about the midwife’s role in arranging a speedy transfer to hospital. We’ll also explain why mums-to-be planning an at home birth should have an emergency hospital transfer written into the plan.

Also in the section on safety, we go through some of the many reasons why some healthy low-risk women plan to have a home birth, including:

• Home is a comfortable, familiar, private and quiet place to bring your baby into the world
• They trust their own innate ability to give birth
• Believe that pregnancy and childbirth are normal functions of the human body and don’t always require the presence of a medical team
• They are able to have an ‘active birth’, which means being mobile. They have the freedom to move around from room to room, inside and outside the home. An active birth can help labour progress, reducing both the length of labour and the need for pain medication
• Little or no risk of contracting hospital-borne infections
• Attending midwives maintain the safety and the sanctity of the act in the home
• Less likely to be given ‘just in case’ interventions with a natural birth at home
• Family members, such as children, can be involved

We’ll also explain why it is not for everyone, and especially not if you have an at-risk pregnancy, including:

• Medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• A previous c-section or other uterine surgery
• Pregnancy complications such as premature labour, preeclampsia, two or more babies, or a baby in the breech position

If your pregnancy falls into the risky category, your caregiver will probably strongly advise you to avoid a home birth and instead attend a hospital.

In Australia, home births are usually attended by a qualified midwife. If you decide to plan for a home birth, it’s up to you to find a midwife to help you plan the event and to take care of you during labour and delivery of your baby.

The role of the midwife

It is relatively straightforward to find and choose a qualified midwife for your home birth. In this section we take you through the options for selecting a midwife that you like, and whose services are compatible with your needs. We also go into detail about exactly how your midwife will help you before, during and after your delivery.

If you’re a first-time mum, or if you’ve already given birth but in a hospital with doctors attending you, you may be surprised by the breadth of service you receive from your midwife.
We’ll also explain the benefits of having a midwife and give you an outline of how you’ll be treated. Usually, midwives consider pregnancy and childbirth to be normal, healthy, yet special events that need professional care and support tailored to the individual. Find out what questions to ask your prospective midwife and how to write a plan together.

Home birth statistics

There is a vast array of statistics, particularly on the safety of home birth. These facts and figures vary widely, depending on what country or countries are included in the study. In this section we show mostly stats for Australian home birth, which has a great track record for good outcomes for both mother and baby – about the same as hospital births. Also read the historical statistics for home birth – and how they compare with modern-day home birth facts and figures. You’ll also learn the reasons why home birth is making a comeback with healthy mothers in Western countries worldwide.