Homebirths 'overwhelmingly more positive' for women than hospital births

“Participants expressed feelings of joy, comfort and safety from being at home and indicated that their family’s presence and involvement created intimate and personal experiences, which were in contrast to experiences described in hospital.” File photo

Homebirths are “overwhelmingly more positive“ for women than hospital births with feelings of joy and comfort, research by Trinity College Dublin has found.

Women talked about the benefits of continuity of care, bodily integrity and informed consent that came with having a birth at home. The study also found in hospitals midwifery-led care scored “significantly higher” than consultant-led care.