Home versus hospital birth

Olsen O, Jewell D

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

No strong evidence about the benefits and safety of planned home birth compared to planned hospital birth for low-risk pregnant women.

In some countries almost all births happen in hospital, whereas in other countries home birth is considered the first choice for healthy and otherwise low-risk women. The change to planned hospital birth for low-risk pregnant women in many countries during this century was not supported by good evidence. Planned hospital birth may even increase unnecessary interventions and complications without any benefit for low-risk women. The review found only one small trial, which provided no strong evidence to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

A meta-analysis of observational studies have suggested that planned home birth may be safe and with less interventions than planned hospital birth.

Objectives:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of planned home birth compared to hospital birth on the rates of interventions, complications and morbidity as determined in randomized trials.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (April 2006).

Selection criteria:

Controlled trials comparing planned hospital birth to planned home birth in selected women, assisted by an experienced home birth practitioner, and backed up by a modern hospital system in case transfer should be necessary.

Data collection and analysis:

Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted by one review author and checked by the other author. Study authors were contacted for additional information.

Main results:

One study involving 11 women was included. The trial was of reasonable quality, but was too small to be able to draw conclusions.

Authors' conclusions:

There is no strong evidence to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women.

This record should be cited as:

Olsen O, Jewell D. Home versus hospital birth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1998, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD000352. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000352

Assessed as up to date:

April 30, 2006

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Primary Review Group:

Pregnancy and Childbirth Group

Health topics:

Pregnancy & childbirth > Care during childbirth > Place of birth

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

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