21/06/2025
A 2024 study looked at maternal and neonatal outcomes in midwife-attended planned home births versus planned hospital births in Spain.
Researchers analysed data from 3,463 low-risk births between 2016 and 2018, including 2,713 hospital and 750 home births.
They found several differences between the groups, which is often the case in this type of study.
“Women choosing home births typically had higher education levels and were predominantly Spanish. They were 3.43 times more likely to have a spontaneous birth and significantly less likely to undergo instrumental births than those in hospitals.
“Home births were associated with higher utilization of non-pharmacological analgesia and a more pronounced tendency to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour post birth. stronger inclination towards breastfeeding.
“Hospital births, conversely, showed higher use of the lithotomy position and epidural analgesia.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).
“There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the two groups.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).
The researchers conclude that:
“Home births managed by midwives offered better obstetric and neonatal outcomes for low-risk women than hospital births.
"These results suggest home birth as a safe, viable option that promotes natural birthing processes and reduces medical interventions.
"The study supports the integration of midwife-led home birth into public health policies, affirming its benefits for maternal and neonatal health.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).
We have added this to the ever-growing list of studies evidencing the safety of home birth on our home birth information hub.
You can find that, and the link to this study, at https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/is_home_birth_safe/
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