11 May

Can you give birth at home? Learn the risks, pros and costs here

Lesley-Anne Johannes

Share your Subscriber Article

You have 5 articles to share every month. Send this story to a friend!

Loading, please wait...

"A home birth is safe for a client who has been classified with a low-risk pregnancy". (Photo: Kristen van Staden/Yellow Lemon Birth Photography/Sabirthphotographers.com/Yellowlemonbirthphotographer.com/Instagram: @yellowlemonbirthphotographer)

It wasn't too long ago that home births were considered the norm.

Described as midwife-led care, home births were the go-to birthing method until the 20th century, when anaesthesia introduced the idea of "pain-free childbirths" in hospital, says professor of history Margaret Marsh.

Read this for free

Get 14 days free to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

Next on Parent24

Considering a water birth? Here's what you need to know

11 May