Making birthplace choice a reality: the need for a national Homebirth Network

In well-resourced countries, giving birth at home supported by midwives delivers some of the best outcomes for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies.1,2 But only a tiny fraction of UK births are at home. In 2020, the homebirth rate was 2.4%. While the rate has risen, a ‘postcode lottery’ affects choices. In some areas, rates are close to 10% while in others they are less than 0.5%.3 No matter where they live, women and families should have the choice to plan a homebirth. This article proposes a national Homebirth Network to support the provision of safe, standardised homebirth services across the UK.