Olsen O, Jewell MD.
Home versus hospital birth (Cochrane Review)
In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software, Abstract

Only one randomised trial of 11 women was of sufficient quality to be included in this review. There is therefore insufficient RCT evidence to reach any conclusions. However the observational evidence is also reviewed.

Olsen O.
A meta-analysis of observational studies: Meta-analysis of the safety of home birth
Birth 1997; 24(1): 4-13

Showed no statistically significant difference in mortality between planned home and planned hospital births. (Abstract)

Hodnett ED.
Home-like versus conventional institutional settings for birth (Cochrane Review)
In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software, Abstract.

Compares birth in a home-like setting vs conventional hospital care. In this review home-like settings resulted in a reduction in intervention but a non statistically significant trend towards higher perinatal mortality.

RCOG Statement: Birth in Water
Evidenced based statements regarding labour and delivery in water.
http://www.rcog.org.uk/mainpages.asp?PageID=641

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