Factors affecting growth and development in the Pittwater homebirth community--my experiences

This is a discussion of the homebirth community in the Pittwater Shire located on Sydney's northern peninsula. Most people choosing a homebirth in this region display the following characteristics: a. They are well-educated or well-skilled in their field. b. They are Caucasian in origin. c. They have strong personal philosophies. d. They are motivated to follow a healthy lifestyle. e. Their approach to living and child rearing is a wholistic one. Within this community, there are many factors which result in a high potential for optimum growth and development of babies and children. However, there are some areas of concern for the Child and Family Health Nurse.