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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Perinatal outcomes of women with selected risk factors who planned a home birth in Catalonia (Spain) between 2018-2024
1
Universitat Ramon Llull, GhenderS research group- Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
2
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, La Ribera Health Department, Valencia, Spain
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A470
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Home births, under midwifery-led care, have been shown to be safe for women with low-risk pregnancies. However, there is limited evidence on the outcomes of home births for women with specific risk factors. This gap in knowledge hinders a comprehensive understanding of the broader applicability of midwifery-led home birthcare.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to examine perinatal outcomes in women with selected risk factors who planned to give birth at home in Catalonia (Spain).
METHODS:
Cross-sectional study, using data from the online data base of the Catalan Association of Home Birth Midwives. The sample included 815 women with one or more of the following risk factors: BMI >30 kg/m2 , maternal age >40 years, spontaneous rupture of membranes >24 hours, duration of gestational age between 36-37 weeks or >42 weeks, previous caesarean section, meconium during labour or positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) status.
RESULTS:
Of the 815 planned home births, 72.6% were completed at home, while 27.4% required transfer to the hospital. Overall, 86.3% resulted in spontaneous vaginal births, 4.7% were instrumental deliveries, and 9.1% ended in caesarean section. Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 11.7% of cases, though only 2.5% required transfer to the hospital. There were no reported maternal admissions to intensive care units. Regarding the neonatal outcomes, 1.8% of newborns were admitted to the neonatal unit, and the neonatal mortality rate was 0.2%.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that, even among women with selected risk factors, planned home births under midwifery-led care are associated with a high rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries with low rates of obstetric interventions and adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, the hospital transfer rate remains an important consideration. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate and expand upon these results.
KEY MESSAGE:
Planned home births attended by midwives can yield favourable outcomes, even among women with selected risk factors. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Home births, under midwifery-led care, have been shown to be safe for women with low-risk pregnancies. However, there is limited evidence on the outcomes of home births for women with specific risk factors. This gap in knowledge hinders a comprehensive understanding of the broader applicability of midwifery-led home birthcare.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to examine perinatal outcomes in women with selected risk factors who planned to give birth at home in Catalonia (Spain).
METHODS:
Cross-sectional study, using data from the online data base of the Catalan Association of Home Birth Midwives. The sample included 815 women with one or more of the following risk factors: BMI >30 kg/m2 , maternal age >40 years, spontaneous rupture of membranes >24 hours, duration of gestational age between 36-37 weeks or >42 weeks, previous caesarean section, meconium during labour or positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) status.
RESULTS:
Of the 815 planned home births, 72.6% were completed at home, while 27.4% required transfer to the hospital. Overall, 86.3% resulted in spontaneous vaginal births, 4.7% were instrumental deliveries, and 9.1% ended in caesarean section. Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 11.7% of cases, though only 2.5% required transfer to the hospital. There were no reported maternal admissions to intensive care units. Regarding the neonatal outcomes, 1.8% of newborns were admitted to the neonatal unit, and the neonatal mortality rate was 0.2%.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that, even among women with selected risk factors, planned home births under midwifery-led care are associated with a high rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries with low rates of obstetric interventions and adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, the hospital transfer rate remains an important consideration. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate and expand upon these results.
KEY MESSAGE:
Planned home births attended by midwives can yield favourable outcomes, even among women with selected risk factors. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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