A homestyle delivery program in a university hospital

Abstract

The Homestyle Delivery Program, an alternative birth service at the University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, is presented. The program was developed jointly by the departments of family practice, obstetrics, and pediatrics, in response to the needs and desires of patients and physicians to participate in a more natural family centered birthing process. A brief description of the program and data from the first 1 1/2 years of operation is given. This program, in contrast to many other alternative birthing programs, involves physicians in training; that is, residents in family practice and obstetrics who are being taught during their obstetrical training how to create and facilitate an intimate family oriented home-like birthing. Satisfaction with the program on the part of the participating families as well as physicians and program staff has been very high. Today, more families in this society are demanding this kind of alternative birthing experience; the Homestyle Delivery Program meets their needs and to data has demonstrated no increased risk to mother or infant.