Planned home births in the Czech Republic, 2018

A summary of the current situation regarding issues of planned home births in the Czech Republic.

Review and summarization. Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Liberec regional hospital, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital in Prague.

We present a summarization of the available data on the controversial subject of planned home births in the Czech Republic. Planned home births in the Czech Republic are currently the subject of much professional, legal, and ethical discussion. This study also includes a review of the international literature, which describes the influence of planned home births on maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. There is as yet no professional organization or legal framework in the Czech Republic for regulating home births, and no precise and dependable data exits on the number, outcomes, or incidence of complications. However, there is an unambiguous consensus among all related specialist organizations in the Czech Medical Association of J. E. Purkyně, which does not support or recommend home births. Despite this, there is a small percentage of women that prefer to give birth at home. Through social networks and public discussion forums that deal with such issues these women find a community that supports and shares, but that also sometimes passes on half-truths and misinformation. Every initially physiological birth can without warning become complicated and require immediate medical intervention. Delays, and inadequate preparation and qualifications can fundamentally influence the further courses and outcomes, complicating the health and life of both mother and child.

The aim of all specialists participating in any way with this issue should be the spread of indisputable facts based on evidence and warning of the demonstrable risks associated with planned home births.