Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Is home birth safe? WikiAnswers says "If everything goes perfectly right with the birth, home birth can be safe. The problem is, while complications are generally the exception and not the rule, they do happen...For the sake of safety, I'd personally choose a hospital." Perhaps we need a more reliable source than WikiAnswers, but this is where the Tales and Truths emerge. If we ask experts, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states: "Choosing to deliver a baby at home...is to place the process of giving birth over the goal of having a healthy baby." This suggests women who choose home birth are risking their baby's health. In contrast, experts from Britain's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: "support home birth in women with uncomplicated pregnancies." Who should we believe? Why do US and UK obstetricians have opposite opinions? What do Canadian obstetricians think? This cafe scientifique will discuss the conflicting opinions among maternity care providers about the safety of planned home birth. We will look at the science and examine the evidence and the politics surrounding birth place. We will discuss what makes a birth place safe, how we measure safety, and what women say about home birth. We will look at the quality of evidence about home birth safety. In particular, we will describe a study that took place here in Vancouver to measure the safety of planned home births, and what Canadian obstetricians think about it. We hope you will share your experiences and perceptions of home birth, learn about Canadian research, and discuss what the options should be. Canadian health care policy is based on expert opinions and the interests of the public. Have a listen, have a say, and join us for a lively and informative discussion.