27 Spectacular Photos That Give An Intimate Glimpse Of Home Birth

 

Home birth is still rare in the United States — national estimates suggest that less than 2 percent of all births take place outside of the hospital, a figure that includes birth centers — which means that for many people, the very notion of planning to have your baby at home feels rather remote and mysterious.

But while there certainly is debate about the safety of planned home birth in this country, many of the women who choose it believe that it is absolutely the right decision for them.

We asked the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers for photos that help pull back the curtain on home birth in the U.S., and around the world. Here are 21 images that capture a bit of what it’s like to deliver your child at home, with words from the photographers about the experiences.

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