Is home birth as dangerous as incorrect car travel?

A new and controversial report has claimed that home births can be as risky as ‘allowing children not to wear a seat belt’.

The new report states that parents should be ‘warned of avoidable and foreseeable risks of future child disability’. They speak of how oxygen deprivation can lead to cerebral palsy as well as motor and cognitive problems that may be detected at school age. They claim that when problems do occur during a home delivery there can be a delay in transferring women to hospital – which could lead to further problems and child disability – claiming that the risks are comparable to a child travelling in a car without a seat belt. The report says that doctors and midwives often fail to tell patients of the risks of home delivery, and the possible damage to the baby – and believe that all expectant parents should be fully informed of the potential risks involved with a home birth.

However, the National Childbirth Trust defended home births, saying that having a baby at home should be considered a mainstream option for women in the UK, alongside other options such as hospital and midwife units. They speak of the benefits of home birthing, such as comfort, continuity of care and less intervention, and strongly believe that women should be given the choice about where they labour and deliver their babies.

So what do you think? Is home birth really as risky as they say, or is it a safe and viable option for many mothers? I do believe that women should be given the choice. I am sure that most parents are aware of potential complications, and in most cases help is readily available should problems arise. Birth carries a risk no matter where it takes place – it is an unpredictable time. As long as all the risks are clearly explained, and there are no pregnancy complications or issues, I think the mother should be able to give birth where she feels most comfortable – whether that is at home or in hospital.

Have you, or would you, have a home birth?