Guidelines for client selection in the home birth midwifery practice

Criteria for Provision of Home Birth Services. ACNM Clinical Bulletin Number 7, March 2003

“…Hence, multiple factors may influence the application of home birth selection guidelines. These include community standards and attitudes; the quality and availability of medical consultation, collaboration, and/or referral; the comfort, experience, and the skill levels of midwives and consultant physicians; and the medicolegal environment 25 …”

“…The selection process for home birth includes the full informed consent of the client delineating potential risks and benefits of each available birth site. Provision for referral or transport is made if conditions require personnel and equipment that are available only in the hospital setting 25 …”

“…The goal of selection criteria in a home birth midwifery practice is to identify the client who, by all current scientific, medical, and midwifery knowledge and standards, has an excellent prognosis for a normal, healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum course. The screening process includes the evaluation of medical, obstetric, nutritional, environmental, and psychosocial factors, as well as evaluation of the midwife‐client relationship 25 . Birth site selection is an ongoing process throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.…”