Planned unassisted home births
Understanding women’s experiences in high-resource countries
In Western countries, hospitals are the predominant location associated with birth; they are considered the default option for giving birth. However, some women choose planned unassisted home births. This choice challenges the status quo and can lead to stigma from both healthcare providers and society in general.
A qualitative systematic review examines the experiences of women in high-resource countries who have planned unassisted home births. Understanding women's experiences of planned unassisted home births is crucial to help ensure that these families are treated equitably and with respect when they seek mainstream healthcare.
Clinicians, policymakers, and administrators who understand why and how women and families choose unassisted home births can help to reduce stigma and support changes to perinatal healthcare services that promote inclusive, connected, relational, and whole birthing experiences for all. For example, gaps in birthing care that may be absent in mainstream birthing services, and how to best integrate this birthing population into the healthcare system when they seek medical assistance need to be identified and addressed.
By providing support for these women and families, healthcare providers can reduce marginalisation and improve access to healthcare services. It is crucial to respect and honour the choices made by women and families and help ensure that healthcare practices meet the needs of all birthing women.
A JBI Best Practice Information Sheet accompanies the systematic review. This brief summary of the published review features the important details including the findings and conclusions of the review, as well as the recommendations for practice. JBI Best Practice Information Sheets are available in the JBI Evidence Based Practice Database and are prepared for a selection of systematic reviews published in JBI Evidence Synthesis.
The qualitative systematic review, Experiences of women who have planned unassisted home births in high-resource countries is available in the September issue of JBI Evidence Synthesis.
'Experiences of women who have planned unassisted home births in high-resource countries: a qualitative systematic review'
Macdonald, Danielle; Helwig, Melissa; Snelgrove-Clarke, Erna
JBI Evidence Synthesis 21(9):p 1732-1763, September 2023. | DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-22-00246