Why did the IWK need to ensure additional safety, when Canadian and international research has shown that planned home birth attended by regulated midwives is a safe and reasonable choice?
The IWK fully supports home births and every woman’s right to make informed decisions about where she gives birth. As with any service that the IWK introduces, it was imperative that proper policies and procedures were first developed to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and families. The IWK home birth policy was approved in November 2009, and home births are currently being offered.
