Characteristics of Homebirth in Hungary: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Girma A. Wami (), Viktória Prémusz, György M. Csákány, Kovács Kálmán, Viola Vértes and Péter Tamás
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Girma A. Wami: Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u. 4, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary
Viktória Prémusz: Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u. 4, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary
György M. Csákány: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jahn Ferenc Hospital, Kövesút 1, H-1204 Budapest, Hungary
Kovács Kálmán: ELKH-PTE Human Reproduction Scientific Research Group, University of Pécs, Édesanyák u. 17, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
Viola Vértes: ELKH-PTE Human Reproduction Scientific Research Group, University of Pécs, Édesanyák u. 17, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
Péter Tamás: Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u. 4, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Homebirth is legal and has been regulated by law in Hungary since 2012. Despite the obvious advantages of homebirth, it has not yet been broadly accepted, due to various opinions related to safety and risks associated with giving birth outside of a hospital. Our study aimed at exploring both real maternal and feto-neonatal characteristics associated with Hungarian homebirths. A total of 2997 cases were considered in support of our retrospective cohort study. In the examined period, there was a significant, continual rise in the number of homebirths by a rate of 0.22% on average per year. Aggregated maternal complications (primary uterine inertia, prolonged second stage labour, and third stage haemorrhage) were prevalent among homebirth cases (1.29% vs. 0.72%, p < 0.05) and were associated with an average of 11.77% rate of transfer to a health care institution. On the other hand, the rate of operative (vaginal or caesarean) delivery was 26.31% among institutionalized births. A slightly better Apgar score and relatively high rate (20%) of caesarean deliveries were correlated with institutionalized births ( p < 0.05). However, the overall intervention rate was lower among homebirths (0.11% vs. 42.57%) than institutional birth cases ( p < 0.001). Overall, homebirth is a reliable option for childbirth for healthy and low-risk mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies, which is reflected in the increasing number of deliveries at home in Hungary. Furthermore, utilizing the experiences of countries where homebirth is a long-established method may further improve the outcome of homebirths in Hungary.

Keywords: home childbirth; institutional childbirth; pregnancy complications; pregnancy outcome (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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