Homebirth organised in a caseload midwifery model with affiliation to a Danish university hospital – A descriptive study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe birth and neonatal outcome in women initiating a homebirth and cared for by a caseload midwifery teams with affiliation to a university hospital. Further, to describe the rate, time, and reasons for transfer between home and hospital. DesignA descriptive study using prospectively collected registry data on initiated homebirths. ResultsA total of 268 women initiated a homebirth and 192 actually gave birth at home, equal to 1.99% of all births in Aarhus Municipality. The majority of the women who initiated a homebirth experienced a vaginal birth (92%) regardless of birthplace. Approximately 28% of the women were transferred from home to hospital during or after birth and 72% of the women had a homebirth as planned. Two children (both born in hospital) were admitted to the neonatal care unit requiring minor observation or treatment. ConclusionThe majority of the women included in this study experienced a vaginal birth including those being transferred from home to hospital. Main reasons for being transferred were slow labor progress and rupture of membranes >18 h. The majority of those being transferred were nulliparous women and most transfers happened during birth.