More Danes choosing to give birth at home

Hospitals under pressure pushing more mothers to turn to the comfort of their own homes

Nov 20, 2015

An increasing number of Danish mothers are preferring to give birth in the comfort of their own homes instead of maternity wards at the local hospital.

New figures from the national birth register Det Medicinske Fødselsregister revealed that 886 mothers gave birth at home last year, compared to just 622 in 2006.

Birgit Petersson, a professor at the Institute of Health Science at the University of Copenhagen, contends that the rise is primarily due to hospitals being under pressure.

“The capacity of the maternity wards has dwindled and women often experience being sent to other departments,” Petersson told DR Nyheder.

“Often, they won’t know the midwife present during the birth. But at home, the midwife is known and they are in familiar and calm conditions.”

Compulsory offer
According to the health law, all women have a right to give birth at home with a midwife, and all pregnant women must be informed of that possibility.

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