Place of Birth

Statement of belief

The International Confederation of Midwives believes that, in environments where women can make a choice as to where they give birth, among the options they are able to consider for a safe birth should be their homes.

Policy

The International Confederation of Midwives supports the right of women to make an informed decision to give birth outside of a hospital.

The midwife who elects to provide professional services for women in their homes should be able to do so within a nation’s health service.

The International Confederation of Midwives recognises that not all nations have the legislation or health service structure which supports home birth, and urges national governments to review the scientific literature on the subject and progress to a maternity service which includes it as an option for women giving birth.

Guiding Statement to Member Associations

Member Associations based in countries where women do not have access to a full range of options as to where they can safely give birth, are encouraged to negotiate with their governments for this to occur.

References

Care in Normal Birth: a Practical Guide., report of a technical working group, WHO 1996.

Supersedes ICM Statement:

Childbirth Practices 90/9

Homebirth 93/9

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.

Date for review: 2005