Please comment on home births. This deceptively simple question is actually quite complex. To begin with, home birthing is appropriate for most women. Mothers have delivered babies for eons in a wide variety of circumstances, with little or no help.
Modern women seem to be newly attracted to home deliveries.
And, under the usual circumstances, with proper training and supervision, they can deliver perfectly normal infants. In fact, many obstetricians are advocating and providing home-birth services. Having given such a glowing testimonial, I feel obligated to warn prospective parents of the risks. Despite routine and capable prenatal care, things can go terribly wrong during the birthing process. The woman may hermorrhage.