Home births in south-west Australia

One hundred and sixty-five women (primiparous, 31%) who planned to have a home birth under the care of one of six registered midwives in the south-west of Western Australia between 1983 and 1986 were studied retrospectively. One neonatal death occurred, which was due to congenital anomalies. Sixteen per cent of the women were transferred to a hospital for the delivery. No woman's labour was induced, and the rates for assisted delivery and caesarean section were very low (5% and 1% of deliveries, respectively). The conclusion is drawn that women who choose to have a home birth in the south-west of Western Australia may do so with a high degree of safety.