Sir, - One has to wonder who gains (and who loses) if more women in Ireland choose to have their babies at home under the care of domiciliary midwives. It seems to me that, as in so many other areas, big money is to be made in what is a modern-day big business. How well would it sit with those in the business if it were generally known that a competent midwife can equally well deliver most babies in their own homes? The safety of planned home births is a well-kept secret. For anyone who cares to research the subject, the surprise is that British, American, Swiss and Dutch findings, to name but a few, support the safety of planned home births.
With respect to the remark by a well-known obstetrician that home birth is comparable to "riding a motorcycle without a helmet", it seems to me that, with soaring rates of episiotomy, forceps delivery and Caesarean sections in hospital deliveries, choosing to have a home birth is more like choosing to take the motor car (with seat belt) - an altogether more comfortable ride! - Yours, etc.,
From Elizabethann Brabazon
Londonbridge Road, Dublin 4.