Home Births and Birth Centers by the Numbers
/Over the past several years, more and more families across the U.S. have started asking the same question:
“Do I have to give birth in a hospital?”
The answer? Not necessarily.
If you're expecting a low-risk pregnancy and want a more personal, low-intervention birth experience, home birth or birth center birth with a midwife might be a great fit. And you're not alone-more families than ever are choosing this path. Let’s take a look at the numbers, the trends, and what research is telling us about the safety, satisfaction, and outcomes of out-of-hospital birth.
Home Birth Is on the Rise
According to the CDC, home births increased by 12% in 2022 - the highest rate in over three decades. In some rural areas, that percentage is even higher.
Why the increase? Families are:
Looking for a more natural, hands-on approach to birth
Wanting fewer medical interventions
Hoping for more autonomy and support
Reconsidering hospital birth due to the COVID-19 pandemic and visiting restrictions
For many, a planned home birth with a qualified midwife offers a safe, peaceful, and empowering alternative to a hospital setting.
Birth Centers Are Growing, Too
Birth centers are freestanding facilities (not part of a hospital) that offer a cozy, home-like space for giving birth with skilled midwives. They’re ideal for people who want:
A natural birth experience
Access to water birth
A setting that’s not “clinical” but still has safety protocols in place
According to the American Association of Birth Centers:
There are now over 400 birth centers in the U.S., and that number is growing
Over 90% of clients avoid cesarean birth at birth centers
Clients report high satisfaction and lower healthcare costs
For many families, birth centers provide the “best of both worlds” - comfort and control, with expert support nearby.
Midwives Are Attending More Births
Midwives are the trained professionals who provide care in birth centers and at home (and often in hospitals too!). In the U.S., midwives attend around 10% of all births - and that number continues to rise.
Research shows that midwifery care is linked to:
Lower rates of induction, cesarean, and other interventions
Better breastfeeding outcomes
Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
Fewer complications for low-risk pregnancies
Midwives also provide continuity of care, which means you’re more likely to know the person attending your birth - and have built a trusting relationship with them.
Are Home and Birth Center Births Safe?
For low-risk pregnancies, the research says yes.
Studies have shown that planned out-of-hospital births with trained midwives have:
Lower intervention rates (like inductions and cesareans)
Fewer infections and complications
High levels of maternal satisfaction
Comparable outcomes to hospital birth when there’s a clear plan for emergency transfer, if needed
In fact, countries like the Netherlands, the U.K., and Canada - where midwifery and out-of-hospital birth are more integrated-have excellent maternal and neonatal outcomes.
What About Cost?
One major benefit of home and birth center birth is the lower cost - without sacrificing quality.
Birth center births typically cost 30-50% less than hospital births
Home births can cost even less, depending on the provider and insurance coverage
Some birth centers now accept insurance or Medicaid (check with your local center)
The Big Picture
The growing interest in home birth, birth centers, and midwife-led care isn’t just a trend - it’s a shift toward respectful, evidence-based, and family-centered birth. More people are realizing that they have options-and they’re choosing care that aligns with their values, not just what’s been expected.
And the numbers? They’re telling a powerful story:
Out-of-hospital birth is safe, effective, and deeply meaningful for many families.
Interested in learning more or touring the Cincinnati Birth Center?
Our team would love to answer your questions and help you explore your birth options with confidence and support. Schedule a tour today!
