Home Births Increased 29% Over Five Year Period

The number of women choosing to give birth at home has steadily risen in the United States with a 29% increase recognized from 2004 through 2009.

While the increase is an impressive result home births in the US still only account for one in 90 births or the equivalent of 1.1% of all births that take place annually in America.

In 2009 the number of home births based on a static percentage fell to just .7% equating to 29,650 children born at home.

In examining the number of birth in the United States researchers found some interesting statistics. For example a majority of the women who choose a home birth are 35 or older and already have a least one child. The study also found that Montana has the highest number of home births with 2.6% of child births occurring away from the hospital.

According to a Boston University professor who co-wrote the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the home births are typically not “accidental” but instead involve “women who are consciously rejecting the system.”

The study also looked at the effects of home births and found that children born in a hospital are two times more likely to be born prematurely or suffer from low-weight.

The findings are likely a result of home birth mothers taking more time to educate themselves about “best practices” before conceiving and then carrying a child.

My wife and I chose to have our first child at home and six weeks ago she entered the world nearly four weeks early but completely healthy at 7 pounds five ounces thanks to a regimented diet, prenatal pills taken well in advance of the pregnancy and an understanding of proper pregnancy lifestyle choices by both my wife and myself.

Do you believe that home births are a good option for parents seeking a less “everything is an emergency” approach than what is offered by many hospital delivery rooms?