Abstract
Identifying the evidence for planning birth at home: A systematic review
Rationale:
The place where a woman gives birth impacts the type of birth and the number of interventions that the mother and baby are exposed to during labour and birth. Outcomes for both multiparous and nulliparous mothers and babies of multiparous women who have delivered at home are equal to, if not better than those in other birth settings. Despite this, only small numbers of women plan to birth at home. This systematic review has informed the co-production of regional guidelines for planning birth at home in Northern Ireland.
Method:
A comprehensive strategy was used to search eight databases for studies published between January 2012 and April 2018. Relevant papers from reference lists of included papers, members of the RQIA guideline development group and professional networks were also included.
Results:
Papers retrieved were categorised under three themes: Maternal and neonatal outcomes, the women and staff’s perceptions of the medicalisation of childbirth and impact of intrapartum transfer. Data was extracted by the lead researchers and members of the guideline development group.
Conclusion:
Key considerations for maternity care staff and women when planning a home birth include the relative safety of home birth versus birthing in hospital. For women, their wish for home birth may be influenced by their perceptions and/or experience of the medicalisation of childbirth. When planning homebirth the possibility of in-labour transfer from home to hospital is discussed. However, in-labour transfer remains a contentious issue and requires further research to inform high quality care that meets the woman's needs and expectations.
Rationale:
The place where a woman gives birth impacts the type of birth and the number of interventions that the mother and baby are exposed to during labour and birth. Outcomes for both multiparous and nulliparous mothers and babies of multiparous women who have delivered at home are equal to, if not better than those in other birth settings. Despite this, only small numbers of women plan to birth at home. This systematic review has informed the co-production of regional guidelines for planning birth at home in Northern Ireland.
Method:
A comprehensive strategy was used to search eight databases for studies published between January 2012 and April 2018. Relevant papers from reference lists of included papers, members of the RQIA guideline development group and professional networks were also included.
Results:
Papers retrieved were categorised under three themes: Maternal and neonatal outcomes, the women and staff’s perceptions of the medicalisation of childbirth and impact of intrapartum transfer. Data was extracted by the lead researchers and members of the guideline development group.
Conclusion:
Key considerations for maternity care staff and women when planning a home birth include the relative safety of home birth versus birthing in hospital. For women, their wish for home birth may be influenced by their perceptions and/or experience of the medicalisation of childbirth. When planning homebirth the possibility of in-labour transfer from home to hospital is discussed. However, in-labour transfer remains a contentious issue and requires further research to inform high quality care that meets the woman's needs and expectations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 17 Sept 2018 |
| Event | From Birth to Health: Towards sustainable childbirth: COST Action Birth Conference: Lisbon - University Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal Duration: 17 Sept 2018 → 18 Sept 2018 https://eubirthresearch.wixsite.com/eubirthconf18 |
Conference
| Conference | From Birth to Health: Towards sustainable childbirth |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Portugal |
| City | Lisbon |
| Period | 17/09/2018 → 18/09/2018 |
| Internet address |