Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Maternal and neonatal indicators of planned home birth in Portugal (2018–2025)
1
Associação Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros Obstetras APEO, Board e Comissão de Apoio ao Parto Domiciliar, Setubal, Portugal
2
Associação Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros Obstetras APEO, Comissão de Apoio ao Parto Domiciliar, Setubal, Portugal
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A509
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In Portugal, demand for planned home birth has increased in recent years. Although legal, it remains outside the National Health Service and is primarily supported by independent midwives. The lack of national data limits professional reflection, visibility, and informed dialogue.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe maternal and neonatal outcomes of planned home births attended by midwives between 2018 and 2025, and to support quality improvement and recognition of autonomous midwifery care.
METHODS:
Observational, descriptive, exploratory quantitative study, including a retrospective cohort study (2018–2022; n = 656) and three prospective cohort studies, with data collection in 2023 (n = 157), 2024 (n = 212), and 2025 (currently ongoing). The study population consists of women who planned a home birth attended by twelve independent midwifery teams. Variables cover sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, labour and birth outcomes, neonatal indicators, and hospital transfers. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained. No conflicts of interest were declared.
RESULTS:
The retrospective phase not only highlighted the importance of clinical documentation and peer learning but also helped clarify key concepts and standardise definitions among participating midwives. It allowed for the completion and refinement of some data entries, contributing to greater consistency and reduced bias in the overall results. Preliminary findings show high rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, low levels of intervention, positive neonatal outcomes, and timely hospital transfers when necessary
CONCLUSIONS:
Planned home birth, when attended by qualified midwives, was shown to be safe for these selected pregnant women and their babies and could be considered a viable option to strengthen autonomous midwifery practice in Portugal, while expanding women’s choices.
KEY MESSAGE:
Planned home birth in Portugal, when attended by qualified midwives was shown to be safe for these selected pregnant women and their babies Poster session 1 (Group A)
In Portugal, demand for planned home birth has increased in recent years. Although legal, it remains outside the National Health Service and is primarily supported by independent midwives. The lack of national data limits professional reflection, visibility, and informed dialogue.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe maternal and neonatal outcomes of planned home births attended by midwives between 2018 and 2025, and to support quality improvement and recognition of autonomous midwifery care.
METHODS:
Observational, descriptive, exploratory quantitative study, including a retrospective cohort study (2018–2022; n = 656) and three prospective cohort studies, with data collection in 2023 (n = 157), 2024 (n = 212), and 2025 (currently ongoing). The study population consists of women who planned a home birth attended by twelve independent midwifery teams. Variables cover sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, labour and birth outcomes, neonatal indicators, and hospital transfers. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained. No conflicts of interest were declared.
RESULTS:
The retrospective phase not only highlighted the importance of clinical documentation and peer learning but also helped clarify key concepts and standardise definitions among participating midwives. It allowed for the completion and refinement of some data entries, contributing to greater consistency and reduced bias in the overall results. Preliminary findings show high rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, low levels of intervention, positive neonatal outcomes, and timely hospital transfers when necessary
CONCLUSIONS:
Planned home birth, when attended by qualified midwives, was shown to be safe for these selected pregnant women and their babies and could be considered a viable option to strengthen autonomous midwifery practice in Portugal, while expanding women’s choices.
KEY MESSAGE:
Planned home birth in Portugal, when attended by qualified midwives was shown to be safe for these selected pregnant women and their babies Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
