People who wish to give birth at home may do so assisted by midwives. These deliveries have been governed by a regulation of the Midwifery Act since April 2005. Mothers and their families may therefore receive all the necessary assistance at home, with the collaboration of the health services.

A home birth, like birth centres, is as safe as giving in the hospital. However, it is only offered to healthy people with normal pregnancies. This represents approximately 85% of pregnancies.

Home births are also practised safely in a large number of industrialized countries such as the United States, England and the Netherlands.

Three essential conditions to be able to give birth at home

• Your residence must be located 30 minutes from a hospital;
• You must have access to a telephone;
• Your pregnancy should not present any risk or complication.

Other conditions may be required. Do not hesitate to discuss this with your midwife.

There are several reasons why women choose to give birth at home

The choice to give birth at home is very personal. The reasons differ from one woman to another. Childbirth is a physiological process that is sensitive to the environment and stress. Here are some of the reasons for this choice:

• Be supported by the midwife throughout the process;
• Avoid having to deal with several different people and medical staff who change shifts
• Seeing the baby being born in a warm atmosphere;
• Welcoming the baby into your home;
• Giving birth in a familiar environment, with the support of loved ones;
• Choosing the way to give birth (in your room, in the water, with your family, etc.);
• Reduce the risk of infection in the newborn by not being in a hospital;
• Welcoming the baby in a calm environment with as few people as possible, without being rushed or given medication.

You can choose to give birth