Why Home Birth Matters by Natalie Meddings

I was excited to read and review this book, being particularly relevant to me and my area of practice. The book covers what it says on the tin: why homebirth matters!

This book is written for women, but would be an enlightening read for midwives looking to reignite their passion for birth and what it means for women. It is also a must-read for new students starting out in midwifery, with birthing stories interlaced throughout the book. The book introduces the topic with common assumptions about the phrase ‘home birth’ and starts to dispel the myths and assumptions surrounding the topic almost immediately.

Chapter topics are chosen well, with a logical flow throughout the book. Content is mainly based on the author's experience, both of supporting women and birthing. Guidelines are discussed, as is the promotion of homebirth as a realistic choice for women, with some of the pitfalls of hospital birth described, including a woman's need for privacy, comfort and need to move around. The author sees birth as normal function, which can only be positive!