Midwives' opinions about home birth

Within several years childbirth, from an intimate and family event, turned into a medical event, subject to control and medical procedures. The reviving idea of natural childbirth in hospital environment has brought about fundamental changes in perinatal care. These changes also concern the right of a childbearing woman to consciously choose the place of delivery. The changing women’s awareness makes some of them decide to deliver in natural, friendly home environment, attended by a chosen midwife. The possibility of different approach to physiological perinatal period is, for both medical community and the society, an interesting option compared with a traditional medical model of obstetrics. The aim of the study was to find the opinions of midwives regarding giving birth at home. A diagnostic survey has been made using an original questionnaire. The questions involved workplace, professional qualifications, knowledge of relevant legislation, assessed safety of home birth, factors affecting women's decisions, assessed own preparation for home birth attendance. The survey has been conducted among 158 midwives working in Krakow and Małopolska province. The outcome of the survey was subject to statistical analysis with the use of computer program Statistica 9.0. Over half of the respondents expressed the opinion that home birth may be safe, but only 9% declared readiness to attend home delivery. A statistically considerable correlation has been observed between expressing the opinion that home birth may be safe and the qualifications and work experience in a delivery room. Among midwives working in Krakow and Małopolska province there is a sufficient number of those who accept the choice a woman makes to deliver at home and declaring readiness to provide their attendance. This group has, at the same time, good professional experience