Off-the-peg birth?

This book examines why women choose not to have an 'off-the-shelf' birth. It establishes links between a woman's freedom to choose where to give birth and the violation of human rights within the obstetric system. The decision to give birth at home can push women out of regular antenatal care. This is despite the fact that research confirms the safety of home births for women who receive low-risk midwifery care. If a woman does not receive support for a home birth, she will either switch to unlicensed care or choose to give birth without support altogether. This book explores why women still choose home birth by combining legal and ethical issues with the latest research. It considers the evidence on high-risk home births (breech and twin births), free births, births with unlicensed healthcare providers and the oppression of midwives who support unorthodox choices. These research findings are illustrated by the stories of women who have sought alternatives in Australia, Europe, Russia, the UK, the USA, South America, Canada, the Middle East and India.