Research on homebirths outside the US?

[physmom]

I'm looking for any studies/research on homebirths done outside of the US (preferably in developing countries).  DH and I recently moved to Brazil and we're expecting number 2 in sept.  My first birth was in the hospital in the US but it was far from my dream birth since I had meconium in my water and ended up having to be induced (and then later got an epidural that didn't even work and was EXTREMELY painful ). Thankfully DD was healthy and we had no other complications but the worse for me was the hospital stay afterwards. DD cried two days straight and you can just imagine how stressful that was for me without DH being there at night because I had to have a roommate.

Honestly, my ideal birth would be in a birthing center where we could leave shortly afterwards. DH is very, very adamant against having a homebirth but loves the idea of a birthing center and going home ASAP afterwards. Unfortunately, here birthing centers don't exist and the hospitals have a 90% c-section rate!! I've already gotten in touch with a mid-wife locally and we'll meet once we move into our new apt in about a month so I'm hoping that talking with her could easy some of DH's fears. If not, I know at least of one nearby hospital that does water births (and my midwife could attend birth with me there). Also if we went the hospital route, I'd definitely be getting a doula too! However, for me the biggest concern is afterwards. Being in a hospital is about the farthest thing from relaxing to me, especially since I already know I'll have to fight to make sure baby#2 isn't given any formula, and spending 3 days after the birth of #2 just sounds like pure torture.

Basically, I'm just looking for some research on the subject. I've read about the studies in the US/Canada and also the one in... what was Denmark? (sorry, I can't remember the country). But they all have VERY different health systems than in Brazil...

[starrlamia]

Im not sure where you would find studies in Brazil in particular. I dont think you would be able to compare Brazil's homebirth or birthing system in general to most other countries, just because of their high c-section rate.

[mommato5]

Look up their midwife qualifications there. Look at their perinatal and neonatal mortality rates compared to place of birth.

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by starrlamia 

Im not sure where you would find studies in Brazil in particular. I dont think you would be able to compare Brazil's homebirth or birthing system in general to most other countries, just because of their high c-section rate.

The thing with Brazil is that the average CS rate is only a little above the US', IIRC--WHO says 36% but that's probably a few years old now. The private hospitals have an absurd CS rate, like 90%. Public hospitals are lower, sometimes much much lower--and then there are women in remote areas who don't have access to a hospital at all. So the overall stats are terrible, because women who need a CS may not be getting one, while women who don't need one, are. It's really crazy. And the home birth rates will be skewed because it mainly happens in remote areas where women don't have a choice and may not have fully trained midwives. In cities, over 99% of births are in hospital. I don't think you could actually find meaningful statistics for Brazil because there are so many variables.