Research over the last two decades has found that planned home birth is at least as safe as hospital for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, it is also associated with good outcomes for birthing parent and babies

Clients choosing home birth are half as likely to have a caesarean section, half as likely to have an assisted delivery and have a lower risk of haemorrhage and infection, perception of pain is reduced, and babies born at home are less likely to need resuscitation

Overall studies have shown that clients who give birth at home feel more in control of their labour and feel it was a positive, empowering experience. They enter parenthood with increased self esteem and have an overwhelming preference for planning home birth again for future pregnancies.

In their recent systematic review, Reitsma et al (2020), explored the outcomes of 500,000 planned homebirths. They Concluded that “Among low-risk women, those intending to birth at home experienced fewer birth interventions and untoward maternal outcomes.”

Further findings from the Lancet (2020) study demonstrated that people with uncomplicated pregnancies planning ​homebirths, when compared with those with similar health backgrounds intending to give birth in hospital were…

40% less likely to have a caesarean birth

50% less likely to have an instrumental birth

70% less likely to have an epidural

55% less likely to have an episiotomy

40% less likely to have a 3rd or 4th degree tear

60% less likely to have their labour augmented (sped up) using an oxytocin drip

The Surrey Hill’s team stats also reflect these findings and in 2019 98% of their clients had vaginal births.

The main hormones that facilitate labour, Oxytocin (the love hormone) and Endorphins (your natural morphine), are produced when you are relaxed, safe and comfortable so the best place to birth is where you feel safe, supported and empowered.

If you are having midwifery led care (low risk), you are an ideal person to consider a homebirth. If you have additional considerations recommending obstetric input in your pregnancy and would like to
explore the option of homebirth, please contact the team for an individualised discussion.

To discuss your birth place options further, including the Benefits, Risks and Alternatives of Homebirth contact the team at Rsch.homebirth.referrals@nhs.net

For more information on BRAIN see this post from Royal Surrey Maternity https://www.facebook.com/royalsurreymaternity/photos/a.856651127799946/1883734445091604/?type=3