Citation

Cohain JS. J. Health Psychol. 2012; 17(4): 467-470.

Affiliation

Independent researcher.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105311433348

PMID

22550002

Abstract

The belief that hospital birth for low risk pregnancies has better outcomes than planned, attended homebirth is an urban legend. The choice of low-risk women to deliver in hospital is a result of the dominant and irrational human propensities to gossip, to follow the crowd and to cling to irrational hope. Rational analysis shows that planned homebirth with experienced trained attendants has the best outcomes for both mother and newborn for low risk pregnancy.

Language: en