I believe that birthing at home, with a trained midwife, is the safest option for a normal birth.

That said, the definition of a "normal birth" is the one that challenges most people. I believe a normal birth is one that occurs to a woman who has had no serious complications during her pregnancy, who is healthy and within safe child-bearing ages, who is not obese, and who enters into the birth experience with a willingness to make it her own, a woman who actively seeks education and support to empower herself during the birth of her child, and who actually desires to be ana ctive participant in the birthing process.

The research overwhelmingly states that birthing at home with a trained midwife in support is "as safe as birthing in hospital" given the criteria of a woman who has had a normal pregnancy. There are even a few studies which are willing to make the groundbreaking statement that birthing at home "might be safer" than birthing in hospital, for a woman who has had a normal pregnancy. There are few studies that are willing to definitevly state that home birth is safer, and this is partly because there usually needs to be quite astounding evidence in a research study for anyone to draw a definitve conclusion, and usually the results are "might bes" or "probablys"; partly because there are so many variables in the birth process and the change of environment between home and hospital, that it is difficult to pin-point one thing, or one group of things that make a difference; and partly (sadly) because pregnancy and birthing care is one of the most politicised aspects of the medical industry and many researchers are hesitant to try and "rock the boat" so to speak.

On the other hand, for a higher risk pregnancy, I believe the safest option is to birth within a hospital, with an obstetrician and an obstetric registrar present, and with the support of midwifery staff. Note I said an obstetrician and an obstetric registrar; I do not believe it is appropriate for women in hospital to be attended by an unsupervised registrar if their pregnancy is not considered to be low risk. If it was my wife, I would not want her attended by a junior doctor! If it was me, I would kick and shout long and hard until an obstetrician was contacted to be present, especially if surgical intervention was required. In such a situation, I believe the safety of the mther and child is increased if a trusted midwife is able to be present, one that the mother has had a chance to build a rapport with, and who is able to act as an advocate for the mother, the unborn child, and the immediate family.

Well, there are my views, controversial as they may be...