EVALUATING THE SAFETY OF HOME BIRTH IN THE MODERN HEALTHCARE CONTEXT: EVIDENCE FROM INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

Maria Kaniecka; Anna Karcz; Barbara Pająk; Oliwia Wróblewska; Małgorzata Dworniczak; Sofiya Salash; Aleksandra Romaniuk; Jakub Majewski; Hubert Bołdys-Żegocki; Artur Koza

doi:10.31435/ijitss.4(48).2025.4363

Authors

Maria Kaniecka Hospital Murcki Limited Liability Company, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6755-4154
Anna Karcz Beskid Oncology Center - Municipal Hospital of John Paul II in Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8381-0541
Barbara Pająk Beskid Oncology Center - Municipal Hospital of John Paul II in Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8148-7216
Oliwia Wróblewska University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8848-3832
Małgorzata Dworniczak Hospital Murcki Limited Liability Company, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8005-5774
Sofiya Salash Beskid Oncology Center - Municipal Hospital of John Paul II in Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9725-8457
Aleksandra Romaniuk Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7036-3985
Jakub Majewski Hospital Murcki Limited Liability Company, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3368-3817
Hubert Bołdys-Żegocki Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2124-0919
Artur Koza Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9714-1154

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.4(48).2025.4363

Keywords:

Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Maternal Outcomes, Neonatal Outcomes, Low-Risk Pregnancy, Childbirth Safety

Abstract

The choice between home birth and hospital birth remains a topic of considerable discussion within contemporary obstetrics. The choice of birth setting and the characteristics of women opting for home birth vary across different regions of the world. In developed countries, hospitals are the default place of birth, whereas in developing countries, childbirth more often occurs at home. One of the most important criteria for comparing home and hospital births is the safety of both the mother and the newborn.

The comparison of home and hospital births among low-risk women shows similar neonatal safety, with lower NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) admissions and intervention rates in home births. Mothers delivering at home experience fewer cesarean sections, episiotomies, and postpartum complications. However, outcomes vary regionally, with U.S. studies reporting higher neonatal risks in planned home births.

Transfer to hospital rates range from 10-30%, mainly due to slow labour. VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) at home are associated with lower cesarean rates but higher non-urgent transfers. Postpartum outcomes, including breastfeeding success, are superior after home birth. Evidence suggests that, in integrated systems, home birth can be a safe and informed choice.

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