Thank you Royal Midwives!

April 2007. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives published their joint statement on Home Births. (These two organizations are comparable to ACOG and the ACNM here in the US-- we just don't give them royalty status.)

Here is what they have to say:
"There is no reason why home birth should not be offered to women at low risk of complications and it may confer considerable benefits for them and their families. There is ample evidence showing that labouring at home increases a woman's likelihood of a birth that is both satisfying and safe (emphasis mine), with implications for her health and that of her baby."
They go on to say, "women and voluntary organisations have challenged the one-dimensional approach to options for place of birth and have influenced the portfolio of evidence now available to support a return to a more diverse range of childbirth environments."
They also mention crazy stuff like birth as a rite of passage, a family event, choice, control, a normal life event, engaging fathers/partners in the appropriate care and upbringing of their children, empowerment, self esteem. What is with those people? What kind of tea are they drinking anyway? If you want to see the full story, click here.
They even suggest that the RCM and the RCOG could develop "a shared philosophy, fostering a service culture of reciprocal valuing of all birth environments."
Haven't they seen the ACOG statement? Oh yeah, ACOG wrote their statement a few weeks ago. Did ACOG even LOOK at this statement before they wrote their own? Thank God there is some sanity in this world.