Author Archives: Jane
ACOG Practice Bulletin: Homebirth
Bottom Line: The only studies that show homebirth could possibly be safe have been done in the Netherlands and Canada, both of which have strict eligibility criteria, dedicated transport systems and highly trained midwives. None of these situations exist in the US. ACOG Practice Bulletin: Homebirth Take away quote: … Women inquiring about planned home birth…
Outcomes of Planned Home Births in Washington State
Bottom line: Planned homebirths in Washington State between 1989 and 1996 had greater infant and maternal risks than hospital birth. Outcomes of planned home births in Washington State Results: Infants of planned home deliveries were at increased risk of neonatal death (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 3.73), and Apgar score…
Outcomes of Planned Home Birth with Registered Midwife Versus Planned Hospital Birth with Midwife or Physician
Bottom Line: Homebirth can be safe with strict selection criteria and highly educated midwives. Outcomes of Planned Home Birth with Registered Midwife Versus Planned Hospital Birth with Midwife or Physician Patients were divided into three groups, homebirth, hospital birth with a midwife and hospital birth with a doctor. Risk levels were matched by excluding anyone…
Perinatal Mortality and Severe Morbidity in Low and High Risk Term Pregnancies in the Netherlands: Prospective Cohort Study
Bottom Line: The Netherlands is often lauded for their high rate of homebirth and low rate of intervention. However, they have shockingly bad statistics when it comes to outcomes. Perinatal Mortality and Severe Morbidity in Low and High Risk Term Pregnancies in the Netherlands: Prospective Cohort Study In the study, the researchers found that infants…
Johnson and Daviss: Outcomes of Planned Homebirths With Certified Professional Midwives
Bottom Line: Johnson and Daviss claim they found homebirth to be safer than hospital birth, but in reality, their numbers show that homebirth has triple the death rate of low risk hospital birth. Johnson and Daviss: Outcomes of Planned Homebirths With Certified Professional Midwives When it was discovered that they had compared homebirth numbers from…
CDC Homebirth Statistics
Bottom Line: Numbers from the CDC show that planned homebirth in the United States has triple the risk of low risk hospital birth. It is important to remember that this rate is also probably higher than these numbers show, since homebirth transfers that end in death are counted in the hospital numbers. For more information,…
Wisconsin Homebirth Statistics
Bottom Line: Wisconsin collects statistics about homebirths and year after year those statistics show that homebirth with a LICENSED direct entry midwife triples the rate of neonatal death. For more information, read here.
Colorado Homebirth Statistics
The state of Colorado mandates the collection of statistics on homebirth with licensed midwives in their state. Bottom line: The perinatal death rate for licensed midwives in Colorado is double the perinatal death rate for hospital births in the entire state, which includes all pregnancy complications and premature births. As Dr. Amy Tueter explains, The…
