Descriptive analysis of two home birth services attended by certified nurse-midwives in Texas

The purpose of this research was to examine outcome data from two home birth services attended by certified nurse midwives in Texas. The population surveyed consisted of all clients who planned to be delivered by the two chosen midwifery services in 1987. This analysis revealed that the women choosing home birth in this sample were usually white married and more educated then the overall childbearing population in the US. Analgesia, episiotomy and cesarian section were all seen at significantly lower rates than what is reported when birth occurs in a hospital setting. Medicinal herbs were the most common labor medication and warm bath or shower the most common procedure. The majority of complications occurred less frequently or at similar rates to those reported in home birth literature and national averages. Semisitting and hands and knees were the most frequently used delivery positions. Research, educational and clinical implications are discussed.