Homebirth is childbirth that occurs outside a hospital or birthing center setting, usually in the Homeof the mother. Most Homebirths are assisted by midwives, but some Homebirths are physician assisted. Others have no medical assistance at all. This is known as unassisted childbirth or free-birth

In most Western countries, Homebirth declined over the 20th century, although there was some revival of the practice in 1970s. In The Netherlands, about 30% of all births occur at Home, but this number is falling. In countries where midwives are the main carers for pregnant women, Homebirth is more prevalent.

For low-risk pregnancies, a number of studies have shown that planned, assisted Homebirths are at least as safe as hospital births. There are fewer medical interventions, such as cesarean sections, forceps or ventouse deliveries, episiotomies and administration of pain medication such as epidurals, all of which pose some risk to the health of the mother and baby. Antibiotic resistant pathogens commonly found in hospitals, such as staph (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and others), are less likely to be transferred to the mother or child when the birth takes place at Home. However, in the case of emergencies such as cord prolapse, breathing problems with the infant, inverted uterus, or bleeding of the mother, there is less access to life-saving equipment, although properly trained midwives can manage such emergencies until the woman can be transferred to a hospital.

Unassisted Homebirth There have been no formal studies on unassisted birth. A mother having an unassisted Homebirth can do so in the environment in which she feels most comfortable. Many mothers choose a "couple's birth" where the birthing mother and her spouse or partner are the only ones present while she gives birth. Other children may be sleeping, or busy elsewhere in the house. Advocates of unassisted birth believe that couple's birth is an intimate extension ofng.