About Birth

Home Births on the rise in the United States
29 percent jump from 2004 to 2009
By Susan Oshel, CPM

Baby Samuel homeborn in 1989 receiving his newborn exam
with midwife Susan Oshel and assistant Kyle Knisely.

Between 1990 and 2004, the number of women who were choosing to give birth at home steadily declined.  But in 2005 the trend turned, according to a new report released by the National Center for Health Statistics January, 2012.

The number of home births in the U.S. jumped by 29% from 2004 to 2009.

The study states that women may prefer a home birth over a hospital birth for a variety of reasons, including a desire for a low-intervention birth in a familiar environment surrounded by family and friends, and cultural or religious concerns.  Lack of transportation in rural areas and cost factors may also play a role, as home births cost about one-third as much as hospital births . 

Women are also becoming more aware that they have a choice when it comes to having their baby.  Mothers often choose to deliver at home because they embrace the idea that giving birth is a normal, physiological process.  Midwives help mothers who are healthy with no major medical problems or obstetrical complications.  And if there's a problem during delivery, they don't hesitate to accompany the mother to a hospital.

Home births have a lower risk profile than hospital births, with fewer babies born premature, fewer teen mothers and fewer multiple births, according to the report.  That's because midwives do such a good job of choosing candidates, according to MacDorman.

Charis Childbirth has a mission to see births in the United States and across the world attended by midwives at home, in birthing centers and in hospitals.   The Midwives Model of Care should be embraced by all birth professionals and in all birth settings.   Home birth is on the rise because of this excellent model of care, as the study reveals.

Percentage of births occurring at home, by state of residence, 2009

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, birth certificate data from the National Vital Statistics System.

The study states that most home births are attended by midwives.

In 2009, 62% of home births were attended by midwives: 19% by certified nurse midwives and 43% by other midwives (such as certified professional midwives or direct-entry midwives).  Among hospital births, only 7% were attended by midwives.

Only 5% of home births were attended by physicians, and a previous study suggested that many of these were unplanned home births (possibly involving emergency situations).  For hospital births, 92% were attended by physicians.

For home births, 33% were reported as delivered by "other" attendants.  "Other" may include, for example, a family member or emergency medical technician.  Among hospital births, less than 1% of births had "other" attendants.

Percent distribution of home births, by type of birth attendant: United States, 2009

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, birth certificate data from the National Vital Statistics System.

View full report here: Home Births in the United States, 1990–2009