Predictors of planned home birth before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To determine how demographic and clinical predictors of home birth have changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. METHODS: Using National Vital Statistics birth certificate data, a retrospective population-based cohort study was performed with planned home births and hospital births among women age ≥18 years during calendar years 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2021 (pandemic-era). Birth location (planned home birth vs. hospital birth) was analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression, systematically examining the interaction of each demographic and clinical covariate with study year. RESULTS: After exclusions, a total of 6,087,768 birth records were retained for analysis, with the proportion of home births increasing from 0.82 % in 2019 to 1.24 % in 2021 (p<0.001). In the final multivariable logistic regression model of planned home birth, five demographic variables retained a statistically significant interaction with year: race and ethnicity, age, educational attainment, parity, and WIC participation. In each case, demographic differences between those having planned home births and hospital births became smaller (odds ratios closer to 1) in 2021 compared to 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Planned home births increased by more than 50 % during the pandemic, with greater socioeconomic diversity in the pandemic-era home birth cohort. The presence of clinical risk factors remained a strong predictor of hospital birth, with no evidence that pandemic-era home births had a higher clinical risk profile as compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Planned hospital birth compared with planned home birth for pregnant women at low risk of complications.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies of increasingly better quality and in different settings suggest that planned hospital birth in many places does not reduce mortality and morbidity but increases the frequency of interventions and complications. Euro-Peristat (part of the European Union's Health Monitoring Programme) has raised concerns about iatrogenic effects of obstetric interventions, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern that the increasing medicalisation of childbirth tends to undermine women's own capability to give birth and negatively impacts their childbirth experience. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 1998, and previously updated in 2012. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of planned hospital birth with planned home birth attended by a midwife or others with midwifery skills and backed up by a modern hospital system in case a transfer to hospital should turn out to be necessary. The primary focus is on women with an uncomplicated pregnancy and low risk of medical intervention during birth.  SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (which includes trials from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, WHO ICTRP, and conference proceedings), ClinicalTrials.gov (16 July 2021), and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing planned hospital birth with planned home birth in low-risk women as described in the objectives. Cluster-randomised trials, quasi-randomised trials, and trials published only as an abstract were also eligible. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data, and checked the data for accuracy. We contacted study authors for additional information. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach.  MAIN RESULTS: We included one trial involving 11 participants. This was a small feasibility study to show that well-informed women - contrary to common beliefs - were prepared to be randomised. This update did not identify any additional studies for inclusion, but excluded one study that had been awaiting assessment. The included study was at high risk of bias for three out of seven risk of bias domains. The trial did not report on five of the seven primary outcomes, and reported zero events for one primary outcome (caesarean section), and non-zero events for the remaining primary outcome (baby not breastfed). Maternal mortality, perinatal mortality (non-malformed), Apgar < 7 at 5 minutes, transfer to neonatal intensive care unit, and maternal satisfaction were not reported. The overall certainty of the evidence for the two reported primary outcomes was very low according to our GRADE assessment (downgraded two levels for high overall risk of bias (due to high risk of bias arising from lack of blinding, high risk of selective reporting and lack of ability to check for publication bias) and two levels for very serious imprecision (single study with few events)).   AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review shows that for selected, low-risk pregnant women, the evidence from randomised trials to support that planned hospital birth reduces maternal or perinatal mortality, morbidity, or any other critical outcome is uncertain. As the quality of evidence in favour of home birth from observational studies seems to be steadily increasing, it might be just as important to prepare a regularly updated systematic review including observational studies as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions as to attempt to set up new RCTs. As women and healthcare practitioners may be aware of evidence from observational studies, and as the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the International Confederation of Midwives collaboratively conclude that there is strong evidence that out-of-hospital birth supported by a registered midwife is safe, equipoise may no longer exist, and randomised trials may now thus be considered unethical or hardly feasible.

Birth before arrival - is there anything to be afraid of?

Over the past centuries maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality has fallen dramatically. This is mainly due to the fact that we achieved a lot in the field of medicine in a very short amount of time. Evidence, mostly from Europe but also from US, suggested that home birth can be relatively safe provided the appropriate conditions are met. The question is "What if something goes wrong?" How to increase patient safety in the case of birth before arrival (BBA) or it may not be associated with any increased risk? Our study review nowadays available articles and describes rates, obstetrical characteristics and perinatal and maternal outcome of unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries.

Out-of-Hospital Birth.

Since the 1970s, most births in the United States have been planned to occur in a hospital. However, a small percentage of Americans choose to give birth outside of a hospital. The number of out-of-hospital births has increased, with one in every 61 U.S. births (1.64%) occurring out of the hospital in 2018. Out-of-hospital (or community) birth can be planned or unplanned. Of those that are planned, most occur at home and are assisted by midwives. Patients who choose a planned community birth do so for multiple reasons. International observational studies that demonstrate comparable outcomes between planned out-of-hospital and planned hospital birth may not be generalizable to the United States. Most U.S. studies have found statistically significant increases in perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity for home birth compared with hospital birth. Conversely, planned community birth is associated with decreased odds of obstetric interventions, including cesarean delivery. Perinatal outcomes for community birth may be improved with appropriate selection of low-risk, vertex, singleton, term pregnancies in patients who have not had a previous cesarean delivery. A qualified, licensed maternal and newborn health professional who is integrated into a maternity health care system should attend all planned community births. Family physicians are uniquely poised to provide counseling to patients and their families about the risks and benefits associated with community birth, and they may be the first physicians to evaluate and treat newborns delivered outside of a hospital.

The Safety and Feasibility of a Family First Aid Approach for the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Home Births: A Pre-post Intervention Study in Rural Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a Family First Aid approach whereby women and their families are provided misoprostol in advance to manage postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in home births. METHODS: A 12-month prospective, pre-post intervention study was conducted from February 2017 to February 2018. Women in their second and third trimesters were enrolled at home visits. Participants and their families received educational materials and were counseled on how to diagnose excessive bleeding and the importance of seeking care at a facility if PPH occurs. In the intervention phase, participants were also given misoprostol and counselled on how to administer the four 200 mcg tablets for first aid in case of PPH. Participants were followed-up postpartum to collect data on use of misoprostol for Family First Aid at home deliveries (primary outcome) and record maternal and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 4008 participants enrolled, 97% were successfully followed-up postpartum. Half of the participants in each phase delivered at home. Among home deliveries, the odds of reporting PPH almost doubled among in the intervention phase (OR 1.98; CI 1.43, 2.76). Among those reporting PPH, women in the intervention phase were significantly more likely to have received PPH treatment (OR 10.49; CI 3.37, 32.71) and 90% administered the dose correctly. No maternal deaths, invasive procedures or surgery were reported in either phase after home deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: The Family First Aid approach is a safe and feasible model of care that provides timely PPH treatment to women delivering at home in rural communities.

Complications of planned home births in the Czech Republic between 2016‒2017.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the complications of planned home births treated at healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic. METHODS: This prospective cohort observational study is based on analysis of women hospitalized with complications related to planned home deliveries in the Czech Republic between 2016 and 2017. The data were collected using an online form made accessible to the directors of all maternity hospitals in the Czech Republic. The results were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 45 complications during planned home deliveries. Complications occurred most often among women living in largely populated cities with higher levels of education. Overall, 40% of patients did not receive routine antenatal care, and 38% of women gave birth after the 41st week of pregnancy. In 60% of cases, no professionals attended the birth. Hospital transfer frequencies were 42% after delivery, 36% at third-stage labour, 11% first-stage labour, 9% second-stage labour, and 2% before delivery. We recorded four neonatal deaths and one severe newborn morbidity. There was one maternal death unrelated to the home-birthing process and six cases of severe maternal haemorrhagic shock requiring intensive care. CONCLUSION: Complications of planned home births occurred more frequently in women living in largely populated cities and with higher education levels. Planned home births were also observed among women who were at a higher risk of complications. Risk factors included nulliparity, postdate pregnancy, and lack of prenatal care. Hospital transfers occurred most often in the third stage of labour and postpartum.

[Home births: A growing phenomenon with potential risks]. / Parto domiciliario: un fenómeno creciente con potenciales riesgos.

Home birth is a controversial issue that raises safety concerns for paediatricians and obstetricians. Hospital birth was the cornerstone to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This reduction in mortality has resulted in considering pregnancy and childbirth as a safe procedure, which, together with a greater social awareness of the need for the humanisation of these processes, have led to an increase in the demand for home birth. Studies from countries such as Australia, the Netherlands, and United Kingdom show that home birth can provide advantages to the mother and the newborn. It needs to be provided with sufficient material means, and should be attended by trained and accredited professionals, and needs to be perfectly coordinated with the hospital obstetrics and neonatology units, in order to guarantee its safety. Therefore, in our environment, there are no safety data or sufficient scientific evidence to support home births at present.

Exploring social and health care representations about home birth: An Integrative Literature Review.

AIMS: Exploring social and health care representations of home birth by conducting an integrative review of the literature. DESIGN: Integrative Literature Review. DATA SOURCES: The search was based on the following keywords: "birth, home," "home birth," "childbirth, home." And the terms: "planned home birth," and "empowerment women homebirth" (in English). "partos en casa," and "partos domiciliarios" (in Spanish) in the following databases: Biomedical Central, Cochrane Library, Dialnet, DOAJ, Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS: A total of 156 publications dated between 2004 and 2017 were initially obtained and a total of 41 articles were finally selected according to the criteria of inclusion, methodological rigor, and researchers' triangulation. RESULTS: Four dimensions of the issue emerged out of the 41 articles analyzed: (a) the Dimension of "Empowerment in Childbirth;" (b) the Dimension of "Comparative Socio-Medical Childbirth Studies;" (c) the "Institutional Dimension of Childbirth;" (d) the "Cultural Dimension of Childbirth." CONCLUSION: From the health management perspective, home birth is not widely accepted today as a valid and safe alternative. However, women's social representations indicate an interest in returning to birth at home as a response to the excessive medicalization and institutionalization of childbirth, and value highly its autonomy and comfort.

Home births: A growing phenomenon with potential risks.

Home birth is a controversial issue that raises safety concerns for paediatricians and obstetricians. Hospital birth was the cornerstone to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This reduction in mortality has resulted in considering pregnancy and childbirth as a safe procedure, which, together with a greater social awareness of the need for the humanisation of these processes, have led to an increase in the demand for home birth. Studies from countries such as Australia, the Netherlands, and United Kingdom show that home birth can provide advantages to the mother and the newborn. It needs to be provided with sufficient material means, and should be attended by trained and accredited professionals, and needs to be perfectly coordinated with the hospital obstetrics and neonatology units, in order to guarantee its safety. Therefore, in our environment, there are no safety data or sufficient scientific evidence to support home births at present.

Birthplace is a risk factor for exchange transfusion in outborn infants admitted for jaundice in Myanmar: a case-control study.

Aim: To evaluate the role of pathway to admission for jaundice among the risk factors for exchange transfusion in outborn infants in a low resource setting.Methods: This retrospective case-control study (1:1 ratio) was carried out at the Yankin Children's Hospital in Yangon (Myanmar). All cases were neonates admitted for treatment of jaundice between March 2013 and February 2014 and who required an exchange transfusion. Each control was the next noncase neonate admitted for treatment of jaundice and treated with phototherapy. Infant characteristics, pathways of admission and clinically relevant factors for exchange transfusion were collected.Results: One hundred thirty-four cases and 134 controls were included in the study. Among cases, home was the most common place of birth while public hospital was the most frequent source of referral. Among controls, private/public hospitals were the commonest places of birth and referral. At multivariable analysis, homebirth was associated with increased likelihood of receiving exchange transfusion at admission (OR 3.30, 95% C.I. 1.31-8.56).Conclusion: Homebirth was an independent risk factor for exchange transfusion at admission for jaundice in a low-resource setting. Appropriate health education of pregnant women and traditional/home birth attendants may contribute to reduce the need for exchange transfusion in low-resource settings.

Response to letter to the editor: "comment on unplanned out-of-hospital birth and risk factors of adverse perinatal outcome: findings from a prospective cohort".

The aim of this Letter to the Editor was to respond to a comment highlighting potential statistical biases in an analysis of our recently published article. We therefore specified the method for selecting the model variables in order to limit overfitting, then we used the Firth method to control the sparse data bias, and finally for checking internal validity we used bootstrapping methods. In total, the conclusions of our model were not changed by these new analyses.

Birthplace in Australia: Antenatal preparation for the possibility of transfer from planned home birth.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore how women and midwives prepare, during the antenatal period, for the possibility of intrapartum transfer from planned home birth. DESIGN: A Constructivist Grounded Theory approach was taken in order to focus upon the social interactions and processes that emerged. SETTING: Urban and regional areas in four states of south eastern Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with women and midwives. FINDINGS: There were three sub-categories relating to preparation for the possibility of transfer. These were 'Building the midwife-woman partnership', 'Fostering professional connections' and 'Reducing uncertainty'. The reciprocal trust inherent in the midwife-woman partnership helped women feel safe in relation to the possibility of intrapartum transfer to hospital. Midwives who had positive transfer experiences spoke about their commitment to fostering professional connections with hospitals and health professionals as a part of building the capacity for collaboration if, and when, a transfer occurred. Reducing uncertainty involved preparation that included not only providing information and emotional support to the woman around the possibility of transfer, but also arranging for her to book in to a back-up hospital.

Does Home Birth Reduce the Risk of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between vaginal birth and the development of POP among women who deliv-ered in non-hospital settings (home birth). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from the files of patients who presented to a hospital outpatient clinic between April 1, 2011 and April 1, 2012 with complaints of urinary incontinence, uterine sagging, vaginal mass, or vaginal pain. The patients' age, height, weight, body mass index, menopause age, number of deliveries, and presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were noted. Patients whose urogynecologic evaluation included POP Quantification (POP-Q) scoring were included in the study. The patients were separated into a group of women who had never given birth and another group of women with one or more deliveries. RESULTS: Of the 179 patients in the study, 28 had never given birth and 151 had given birth at least once. The nulliparous patients had no cystocele, rectocele, or uterine prolapse. The prevalence rates of cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse were significantly higher in the multiparous group. Cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse development were significantly correlated with number of deliveries, but there was no statistical association with age, body mass index, menopausal age, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension. univariate analysis reveals that the only factor effective in the development of cytocele, rectocele and prolapse is the number of births. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that only number of deliveries is associated with development of cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse in women who gave birth by vaginal route in residential settings.

Associations with perineal trauma during childbirth at home and in health facilities in indigenous municipalities in southern Mexico: a cross-sectional cluster survey.

BACKGROUND: Episiotomy and perineal tears remain common in vaginal deliveries. This study estimated the frequency of and factors associated with perineal tears, episiotomies, and postnatal infections among women in two predominantly indigenous municipalities in southern Mexico, where traditional midwives play an important role in women's health. METHODS: A cross-sectional study contacted women who gave birth in the previous three years. An administered questionnaire asked about place of delivery, birthing position, birth attendant, episiotomy, perineal tears, and wound infection after delivery. Cluster adjusted bivariate and then multivariate analysis examined factors potentially associated with self-reported perineal trauma (episiotomy and/or perineal tear). Key informant interviews sought insights into some of the findings. RESULTS: Among women with a vaginal delivery, 71% (876/1238) of indigenous women and 18% (36/197) of non-indigenous women delivered at home. Some 17% (247/1416) of women overall, and 33% (171/525) of those delivering in a health facility, reported an episiotomy during delivery. Among 171 women reporting an episiotomy in a health facility, 30% (52) also reported a perineal tear. Overall, 13% (190/1412) of women reported they had a perineal tear during delivery, 17% (86/515) of those delivering in a health facility and 12% (104/897) of those delivering at home. A quarter of the women had self-reported perineal trauma during their last delivery, 38% (196/511) of those delivering in a health facility and 18% (160/893) of those delivering at home. In bivariate analysis, indigenous ethnicity, home delivery, upright posture in labour, and delivery by a traditional midwife were associated with a lower risk of perineal trauma, while primiparas had a higher risk. In the final multivariate model, delivery by a traditional midwife was protective (ORa 0.41, 95%CIca 0.32-0.54) and primiparity was a risk factor (ORa 2.01, 95%CIca 1.5-2.68) for perineal trauma. Women suggested that fear of bad treatment and being cut made them unwilling to deliver in health facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of perineal trauma among women giving birth in indigenous communities could be reduced by efforts to decrease the use of episiotomies in health facilities, and by opening a dialogue with traditional midwives to increase their interaction with formal health services.

Midwife-assisted planned home birth: an essential component of improving the safety of childbirth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hospital births, when compared to out-of-hospital births, have generally led to not only a significantly reduced maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity but also an increase in certain interventions. A trend seems to be emerging, especially in the US where some women are requesting home births, which creates ethical challenges for obstetricians and the health care organizations and policy makers. In the developing world, a completely different reality exists. Home births constitute the majority of deliveries in the developing world. There are severe limitations in terms of facilities, health personnel and deeply entrenched cultural and socio-economic conditions militating against hospital births. As a consequence, maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity remain the highest, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Midwife-assisted planned home birth therefore has a major role to play in increasing the safety of childbirth in SSA. The objective of this paper is to propose a model that can be used to improve the safety of childbirth in low resource countries and to outline why midwife assisted planned home birth with coordination of hospitals is the preferred alternative to unassisted or inadequately assisted planned home birth in SSA.

Trends in characteristics of women choosing contraindicated home births.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) contraindicated home births and the women who are receiving these births in hopes of identifying venues for intervention. METHODS: The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) birth certificate records from 1990 to 2015 were used. "Planned home births" were defined as those births in which birthplace was coded as "residence" and birth attendant was coded as "certified nurse midwife (CNM)" or "other midwife". Contraindicated home births were defined as "planned home births" from 1990 to 2015 that had one or more of the ACOG risk factors for home births, which include vaginal birth after prior cesarean delivery (VBAC), breech presentation and multiple gestations. RESULTS: A review of trends in contraindicated home births from 1990 to 2015 suggests that they are increasing in number (481-1396) and as a percentage of total births (0.01%-0.04%, P<0.001). There has been an increase in the proportion of college-educated women (31%-51%, P<0.001). Most women receive prenatal care (>95%), which is most frequently initiated in the first trimester. The majority of home births were paid out-of-pocket (65%-69%). CONCLUSION: The increasing number of contraindicated home births in the United States requires public health action. Home births are likely a matter of choice rather than a lack of resources. It is unclear if women choose home births while knowing the risk or due to a lack of information. Prenatal education about contraindicated home births is possible, as almost all women receive prenatal care.

Born before arrival in NSW, Australia (2000-2011): a linked population data study of incidence, location, associated factors and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine incidence, associated factors, outcomes and geographical occurrence of born before arrival (BBA) in New South Wales, Australia. DESIGN: A linked population data study involving population-based surveillance systems was undertaken for the years 2000-2011. SETTING: New South Wales, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: All women who underwent BBA compared with women who birthed in hospital/birth centre settings. RESULTS: During the time period, there were 1 097 653 births and a BBA rate of 4.6 per 1000 births. The BBA rate changed from 4.2 to 4.8 per 1000 births over time (p=0.06). Neonates BBA were more likely to be premature (12.5% compared with 7.3%), of lower birth weight (209.8 g mean difference) and/or be admitted to a special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit (20.6% compared with 15.6%). The perinatal mortality rate was significantly higher in the BBA cohort (34.6 compared with 9.3 per 1000 births). Women in the BBA cohort were more likely to be in the lowest socioeconomic decile, multiparous, have higher rates of smoking (30.5% compared with 13.8%) and more likely to suffer a postpartum haemorrhage requiring transfusion than the non-BBA cohort (1.5% compared with 0.7%). The most commonly occurring complications for neonates were suspected infection (6.9%), hypothermia (6.9%), respiratory distress (5.4%), congenital abnormality (4.0%) and neonatal withdrawal symptoms (2.4%). BBA more commonly occurred in geographical areas where the distance to a maternity unit is >2 hours drive and in coastal regions where there is also a high rate of homebirth. CONCLUSION: BBA occurs more frequently in multiparous women of lower socioeconomic status. There potentially is an effect of geography on the occurrence of BBA, as geographical area of high homebirth and BBA coexists, indicating that freebirth followed by an unplanned transfer to hospital may be occurring.

Planned home versus planned hospital births in women at low-risk pregnancy: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

New interest in home birth have recently arisen in women at low risk pregnancy. Maternal and neonatal morbidity of women planning delivery at home has yet to be comprehensively quantified. We aimed to quantify pregnancy outcomes following planned home (PHB) versus planned hospital birth (PHos). We did a systematic review of maternal and neonatal morbidity following planned home (PHB) versus planned hospital birth (PHos). We included prospective, retrospective, cohort and case-control studies of low risk pregnancy outcomes according to planning place of birth, identified from January 2000 to June 2017. We excluded studies in which high-risk pregnancy and composite morbidity were included. Outcomes of interest were: maternal and neonatal morbidity/mortality, medical interventions, and delivery mode. We pooled estimates of the association between outcomes and planning place of birth using meta-analyses. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, protocol number CRD42017058016. We included 8 studies of the 4294 records identified, consisting in 14,637 (32.6%) in PHB and 30,177 (67.4%) in PHos group. Spontaneous delivery was significantly higher in PHB than PHos group (OR: 2.075; 95%CI:1.654-2.063) group. Women in PHB group were less likely to undergo cesarean section compared with women in PHos (OR:0.607; 95%CI:0.553-0.667) group. PHB group was less likely to receive medical interventions than PHos group. The risk of fetal dystocia was lower in PHB than PHos group (OR:0.287; 95%CI:0.133-0.618). The risk of post-partum hemorrhage was lower in PHB than PHos group (OR:0.692; 95% CI.0.634-0.755). The two groups were similar with regard to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Births assisted at hospital are more likely to receive medical interventions, fetal monitoring and prompt delivery in case of obstetrical complications. Further studies are needed in order to clarify whether home births are as safe as hospital births.

Maternal characteristics and birth outcomes resulting from births before arrival at health facilities in Nkangala District, South Africa: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Risks of severe, avoidable maternal and neonatal complications at birth are increased if the birth occurs before arrival at the health facility and in the absence of skilled birth attendants. Birth Before Arrival (BBA) is a preventable phenomenon still common in modern-day practice despite extensive improvements made in obstetric care and in accessibility to healthcare in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and outcomes in mothers and babies associated with being born before arrival at hospitals. METHODS: A prospective case control study design was conducted. All BBAs presenting to the hospitals in Nkangala District between November 2015 and February 2016 were included and compared to a consecutive hospital delivery occurring immediately after the arrival of each BBA. T-tests and chi square tests were used to analyse the differences between the groups and a binary logistic regression analysis used to determine predictors of BBAs. All statistical analysis were done using STATA version 14 using a 5% decision level and a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: During the study period, 4397 in-facility births and 201 BBAs were recorded, 78 BBAs and 75 controls were investigated in this study. The district BBA prevalence was 4.6%. Risk factors identified in mothers of BBAs were: single mothers (83.3% vs 69.3%; p = 0.04); residing in an informal settlement (23.1% vs 5.3%; p = 0.002); and higher gravidity with plurigravida significantly more (60.3% vs 32.5%; p < 0.0001). A prevalent maternal complication in cases was haemorrhage due to retained placenta. Most neonates were born alive with a higher proportion of cases experiencing perinatal complications such as respiratory distress, hypothermia and asphyxia. No significant differences in maternal age, employment status and immediate birth outcomes were found. Residing in informal settlements, higher gravidity, unplanned pregnancy, low birth weight and unbooked were found to predict the occurrence of BBAs. CONCLUSION: Although no significant numbers of mortalities were recorded in this study, service delivery interventions targeting the reduction of BBAs are needed so as to minimise the morbidity experienced by the group.