Home birth

As an independent midwife practicing homebirths in Athens, Greece the writer has encountered several factors that have influenced her decision to explore the issue of homebirth in Athens. These factors include the unavailability of any local research regarding non-hospital births, the low homebirth rate, the status of midwives in birth and the total unavailability of a National Health Service Homebirth scheme, along with the high rates of caesarean section. Furthermore, a review of the international literature revealed that women's childbearing choices are limited and their own experiences and views are largely ignored. The research question "What influences women to choose to give birth at home, in the city of Athens, Greece?" was derived from a personal interest in homebirth. Specifically the writer wanted to find out what motivates women to come against a highly medical care system in Greece, and have their babies at home. The writer was particularly interested in what women themselves had to say regarding their decision. This book aims to provide a stimulus for discussion among health care professionals as well as lay people.