Poland’s National Health Fund are to provide the midwife, but the family still has to pay if it wants a home birth.

Home births in Poland cost over 2,000 (700 USD), making it unaffordable for average families in Poland says a new report.

According to new obstetrics care guidelines issued by the health ministry, home births - previously unavailable on the national Health Fund, are now going to be available, but still not financed by the state.

To encourage women to opt for a home birth, women must be provided with satisfactory social, medical and legal conditions, says professor Krzysztof Praiss, heading an obstetrics clinic in Gdansk. He adds that medically, home birth is safe - the mother and the baby don't even have to be transported to a hospital after the delivery.

“There is no reason why a midwife could not perform basic examinations at home. It can all be done properly,” he said.

The new regulations allow mother to choose freely between home and hospital birth, but so far only hospital births are covered by public medical insurance. (jn)