Outcome of planned home births compared to hospital births in Sweden between 1992 and 2004. A population-based register study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this population-based study was to measure the risk of adverse outcome for mother and child in planned home births in a Swedish population irrespective of where the birth actually occurred, at home or in hospital after transfer.


METHODS
A population-based study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register.


METHODS
Sweden 1992-2004.


METHODS
A total of 897 planned home births were compared with a randomly selected group of 11,341 planned hospital births.


METHODS
Prevalence of mortality and morbidity among mothers and children, emergency conditions, instrumental and operative delivery and perineal lacerations were compared.


RESULTS
During this period in Sweden the neonatal mortality rate was 2.2 per thousand in the home birth group and 0.7 in the hospital group (RR 3.6, 95% CI 0.2-14.7). No cases of emergency complications were found in the home birth group. The risk of having a sphincter rupture was lower in the planned home birth group (RR 0.2, 95% CI 0.0-0.7). The risk of having a cesarean section (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) or instrumental delivery (RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5) was significantly lower in the planned home birth group.


CONCLUSIONS
In Sweden, between 1992 and 2004, the intrapartum and neonatal mortality in planned home births was 2.2 per thousand. The proportion is higher compared to hospital births but no statistically significant difference was found. Women in the home birth group more often experienced a spontaneous birth without medical intervention and were less likely to sustain pelvic floor injuries.
Lindgren
Helena E
HE
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Malardalen University, Eskilstuna, Sweden. helena.lindgren@mdh.se
Rådestad
Ingela J
IJ
Christensson
Kyllike
K
Hildingsson
Ingegerd M
IM
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003696:Delivery Rooms; D004841:Episiotomy; D005260:Female; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D012421:Rupture; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000293:injuries