HOME BIRTHS - can you solve a dispute for us about why they're massive in Holland....

[bohemianbint]

...but generally thought of as a bit hippy and bonkers in this country?

We were talking about it last night and DH was wondering what made us so hospital-centric as a nation, when up until the 1950's home births were the norm? Why did the shift take place in this country, and not Holland?

Also, DH reckons that if we adopted a majority of HBs in this country that mortalities would increase. I totally disagree but does anyone know the stats from Holland?

Thanks!

Read Birth : a history -- fascinating, and not at all hippy or bonkers.

Home births are not common in Belgium at all, but I'm planning a second home birth for october, and we are also planning to have the maximum amouint of kraamzorg possible