Home deliveries in Holland: Dutch maternity care and home confinements *

In the Netherlands a majority of all deliveries take place at home. The perinatal mortality rate is better than that reported from the United ffiingdom, probably because obstetric care in hospital is more active and aggressive. Dutch midwives play an important role and the specially trained home helps are most successful. I believe that, provided case selection is rigorous, many women are best delivered at home.