[Home birth. A reflection on bioethics and human rights]. / Nacer en casa. Una reflexión sobre bioética y derechos humanos.

This article discusses the situation of childbirth in general and home birth in particular from a legal perspective. Taking the context of the social, health and bioethical crisis brought about by Covid-19 as a starting point, we examine the principles that should guide birth care and analyse obstetric violence as denial of these principles. In light of abuse of medicalisation and medical interventionism, it seeks to find the best ways to humanise and dignify the care for the whole birth process. To this end, we consider the main pronouncements on the subject by international and domestic institutions and courts, as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, with emphasis on rulings concerning home births, which deal with possible violations of rights and, in particular, the right to respect for private and family life.

Nacer en casa. Una reflexión sobre bioética y derechos humanos / Home birth. A reflection on bioethics and human rights

Desde un enfoque jurídico, el trabajo se aproxima a la situación del parto en general y, más en concreto, del parto domiciliario. Partiendo del contexto de la crisis social, sanitaria y bioética provocada por el Covid-19, se analizarán los principales pronunciamientos de las instituciones y tribunales internacionales e internos, con especial atención a la jurisprudencia del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos, en torno a la necesidad de humanizar y dignificar la asistencia a todo el proceso. En este ámbito, el artículo se centrará en aquellas resoluciones referidas al parto en casa, donde se dirimen las posibles vulneraciones de derechos y, en especial, del derecho al respeto a la vida privada y familiar.

This article discusses the situation of childbirth in general and home birth in particular from a legalperspective. Taking the context of the social, health and bioethical crisis brought about by Covid-19 as a starting point, we examine the principles that should guide birth care and analyse obstetric violence as denial of these principles. In light of abuse of medicalisation and medical interventionism, it seeks to find the best ways to humanise and dignify the care for the whole birth process. To this end, we consider the main pronouncements on the subject by international and domestic institutions and courts, as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, with emphasis on rulings concerning home births, which deal with possible violations of rights and, in particular, the right to respect for private and family life