Myth: The only safe place to have a baby is in the hospital!

Fact: Studies from Tennessee, Great Britain and Washington State (among others) verify that a planned homebirth is at least as safe for both mother and baby, as a hospital delivery. Equally important is the documentation that midwife supported births experience far fewer interventions and lower rates for C-section and forceps deliveries.

Fact: Almost 60% of births in the Netherlands take place at home with midwives. They have one of the world’s lowest infant and maternal mortality rates.

Fact: The United States has the highest Cesarean section rate in the world (about 24% in 1995). It also has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates of western, industrialized nations. All this in a climate of 95% hospital births.

Myth: It is dangerous to have a baby at home!

Fact: Infection, for mom or baby, is a common danger for hospital births. Infection occurs rarely in the home birthing population.

Fact: The advantages of homebirth center on the reality that when a woman controls her environment she feels safer, so her birthing progresses naturally. Her personal relationship with her midwife enables her to trust herself and those supporting her. This results in less stress, fear and discomfort and a greater confidence in her ability to birth well.

Fact: Interventions that lead to risks of injurious side-effects occur much less frequently when midwifery care is the mother’s first choice, regardless of where she finally delivers.

Myth: Midwives are incompetent and dangerous with an "un-scientific" approach to care!

Fact: Midwives have a history of outstanding ethics and care!