The research behind our care
Birth at home is not a step back in time. It is held up by decades of careful research, and the findings are tender and strong: when healthy mamas are cared for by skilled midwives, they and their babies thrive.
Home birth is a safe choice
Home birth is as safe for babies as hospital birth
Hutton et al. · EClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) · 2019
A review of about 500,000 planned home births across 14 studies found no difference in perinatal or newborn loss compared with low-risk mothers who planned a hospital birth.
Read the studyFewer interventions, fewer complications for mama
Reitsma et al. · EClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) · 2020
The companion review of about 500,000 women found that mothers who planned to birth at home had fewer cesareans, epidurals, assisted deliveries, serious tears, hemorrhages and infections.
Read the studyNearly 17,000 home births in the United States
Cheyney et al. · Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health · 2014
The MANA Stats project followed 16,924 planned home births with midwives. About 94% of mothers birthed vaginally without intervention, only about 5% needed a cesarean, and nearly every baby was still breastfeeding at six weeks.
Read the studyThe Birthplace in England study
Birthplace in England Collaborative Group · BMJ · 2011
In this study of 64,538 healthy women, planned home birth was as safe for babies as hospital birth for mothers who had birthed before, with far fewer interventions. For first-time mothers, the study found a small added risk at home, which is one reason careful screening and a clear transfer plan matter so much.
Read the studyBirth after cesarean
Planned home VBAC in the United States
Cox et al. · Birth · 2015
Of 1,052 women planning a home birth after a previous cesarean, 87% birthed vaginally. For mothers who had already had a vaginal birth, it was over 90%. The authors also describe the risks honestly, so families can make a fully informed choice.
Read the studyThe gift of midwifery care
Midwife-led continuity of care
Sandall et al. · Cochrane Review · 2016
Across 15 trials and more than 17,000 women, having a known midwife through pregnancy and birth meant fewer preterm births, fewer early pregnancy losses, fewer epidurals and episiotomies, and more satisfied mothers.
Read the reviewWhere midwives are woven in, families do better
Vedam et al. · PLOS ONE · 2018
States that welcome midwives into their health systems had higher rates of vaginal birth, VBAC and breastfeeding, and lower rates of cesarean, preterm birth and newborn loss.
Read the studyThe Lancet Series on Midwifery
Renfrew et al. · The Lancet · 2014
A landmark global review found that midwifery care could prevent more than 80% of maternal deaths, stillbirths and newborn deaths, and called midwifery essential to the health of mothers and babies everywhere.
Read the seriesBring your questions to your next visit. We love reading these together, and we will always walk you through what the research means for you and your baby.
