The Netherlands has a system of pregnancy and birth care that is unique in the Western world. The majority of Dutch midwives work independently from obstetricians, are the sole care providers for low risk women and are primarily responsible for the system of risk selection. Almost 30% of women choose to give birth at home.

Until recently the system of home birth had not been researched for its safety.  In a study by De Jonge et al, no differences in perinatal mortality between planned home and hospital births among 529,688 low risk women in a nationwide cohort study.  To read more about the unique features of the Dutch system, the main findings of the recent home birth study, and the possible implications for the birth care system in the US, read the online article:  De Jonge A, Goes B, Ravelli A, Mol B, Nijhuis J, Buitendijk S. No differences in perinatal mortality between planned home and hospital births among 529,688 low risk women in a nationwide cohort study in the Netherlands. BJOG. 2009; published online April 15th 2009.