First-time mothers opting for home birth ‘put baby at higher risk’

FIRST-TIME mothers who opt for a home birth are almost three times more likely to have a baby who dies or suffers a medical complication, a major new report has shown.

British researchers found babies born to first-time mothers were 2.8 times more likely to suffer serious problems if a home birth was chosen compared with those born in hospital obstetric units.

Problems include stillbirth after the start of labour, the baby dying within the first week of birth, brain injury, fractures to the upper arm or shoulder during birth, and faeces in the lung, which can require intense medical attention.