Home delivery and scientific reasoning
Olsen, O.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 114(30): 3655-3657
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 7825152 Document Number: 436296
Doctors commonly assume that it is safer for all women to give birth in hospital rather than at home. Nevertheless, all statistical comparisons relevant to Nordic women today show that for healthy pregnant women it is at least as safe to give birth at home--and perhaps even safer. Furthermore, many randomised clinical trials consistently show that several of the elements which characterize home births make the births proceed much easier. The question is raised, in what ways it is possible to convince obstetricians that they should base their judgements and advice regarding place of birth on empirical evidence rather than on "well established" but pre-scientific dog-mas.