Lancet home birth editorial

Released on 30/07/2010

 On Friday 30th July a medical journal, The Lancet, published an editorial claiming that mums-to-be should not have the right to choose a home birth if it might put their babies at risk.

The editorial was written following the publication of a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

In response, NCT released the following statement.

Mary Newburn, Head of Research and Information, NCT, said:  

“Comments like these are concerning to read. All adults with the mental capacity to make decisions have the right to decide which treatment options they accept or decline. Pregnant women have the same rights as other adults, a fundamental legal principle.  

"For a healthy woman with a straightforward, low-risk pregnancy, home birth is a safe option. Our own review of home birth concluded that, for women with a low risk of complications, there is no evidence that the likelihood of a baby dying during or shortly after labour is any higher if they plan for a home birth than if they plan for a hospital birth.  

“NCT’s critique of the study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Philadelphia found that there were a range of serious methodological limitations, and that the claims on the safety of home birth were completely unjustifiable. 

“Provided women have a straightforward pregnancy, home birth should be considered a mainstream option for women in the UK alongside birth centres and hospital maternity units.”

You can also see a response on the limitations of the recent American study in the Guardian and NCT's critique of the study by clicking on the links below.

Read Mary Newburn's article on home birth on The Guardian's website. 

Read NCT's critique of the study.  

See The Lancet's editorial on home birth here.