03/07/2026
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The American College of Nurse-Midwives has released its updated Position Statement on Planned Home Birth, now available as a member resource.
At its core, this statement affirms that every individual has the right to give birth in an environment that upholds human dignity, self-determination, and respect for cultural context. Choice of birth setting is not incidental to quality care, it is part of it. ACNM underscores that shared decision-making about place of birth is fundamental to ethical, person-centered maternity care.
The statement makes clear that planned home birth should be an accessible option for those who choose it. For appropriately selected individuals attended by qualified midwives, research demonstrates that home birth can support normal, physiologic birth and is associated with lower rates of obstetric and neonatal intervention. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) are educated and prepared to provide comprehensive antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care in the home setting.
Importantly, safety is optimized within integrated systems of care. Respectful collaboration, clear communication pathways, and seamless transfer processes between home and hospital settings strengthen outcomes and reinforce continuity.
ACNM also calls on states, payers, and insurers to align policy with evidence and professional standards. Laws and regulations should support childbirth across home, birth center, and hospital settings. Reimbursement from third-party payers and access to professional liability coverage must reflect the legitimacy and value of licensed midwifery care.
For clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, this updated Position Statement provides research-informed, advocacy-ready language to advance autonomy, system integration, and equitable access to midwifery services.
Available now in the ACNM member library.
