De Costa, Caroline, and Pols, Hans (2011) Shifting paradigms. O & G Magazine, 13 (4). pp. 11-15.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

Homebirth in the Netherlands and its relevance to Australian practice: a review of the available evidence.

Less than one per cent of all births in Australia are planned homebirths, yet the topic continues to provoke heated discussion between advocates for increased support and funding of homebirth services, and opponents of such measures. Much of the discussion is informed by reference to homebirth services in other developed countries, including Canada, the UK, New Zealand, the USA and, particularly, the Netherlands, in the latter case usually with an implication that the Dutch system could serve as a model for Australia. Of developed countries, the Netherlands has the highest rate of planned homebirths supervised by midwives, with the availability of transfer to obstetric care if needed: currently 30 per cent of all births, a figure down from 35 per cent in 1979 and 74 per cent in 1958. In this article we review all reports and studies of homebirth in Australia published in the period 1990–2011, together with relevant peer-reviewed literature regarding homebirth from the same timeframe from the Netherlands, with the aim of assessing overseas experience that might be relevant to Australian practice.

Item ID:	22041
Item Type:	Article (Non-Refereed Research)
ISSN:	1442-5319
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2012 01:45
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine > 111402 Obstetrics and Gynaecology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 6
	More Statistics