In Poland home births still account for only a small proportion of all births. However, an increasing number of women are considering giving birth in a non-clinical setting. Their motives are diverse; among the most common there can be distinguished: limiting medical interventions to the minimum and not interrupting the natural labour and delivery process, and treating home as a safe place with optimal surroundings for childbirth. Before attempting home birth, the expectant mother must be thoroughly examined and qualified as healthy. While preparing for such labour the factors taken into consideration are the mother’s past obstetric history, her current health condition and the welfare of the child. Home birth is an alternative for those parents who are entirely confident of such an approach to labour and delivery, and ready to take full responsibility for their decision. The majority of scientific studies from different countries do not demonstrate any correlation between birthing environments and a greater risk of perinatal death to neither the mother nor the child. Their safety is ensured by correct medical qualification, the presence of an experienced midwife and appropriate arrangements for transfer to hospital. Midwives attending births use (the Midwifery Model of Care for Childbearing Women and their Children during the Physiological Perinatal Period in Non-clinical Practice). These guidelines are compliant with the applicable medical standards.

Key words: women in childbirth, newborn, care, home birth.