Home birth: is it a real option?

Abstract

In spite of the Department of Health's (1993) recommendation that women should be given more choice about where they give birth, there is evidence which suggests that this option is now restricted by community midwives’ attitudes (Reld, 1993; Cronk, 1995). In order to identify whether having a home birth is a real option, this study investigated community attitudes about home births. Consistent with the findings of the literature review, it revealed that certain personal attitudes and views which midwives possess can act as barriers to woman being offered true choice, regarding the place of birth. Additionally, the study identified that organizational factors such as staff shortages and policies relating to the criteria used to select women for home births, also prevent women from being given this option. The study concluded that In order to provide the service advocated by the Department of Health (1993), midwives must be willing to adopt their role as ‘Independent practitioners’ (UKCC, 1993) and support women's choices. Further investigation into the effects of organizational factors on choice is also necessary.