Abstract
Background
There are fifteen publicly-funded homebirth programs currently operating in Australia.
Suitability for these programs is determined by a series of inclusion and exclusion
criteria.
Aim
The aim of this scoping review is to identify common inclusion and exclusion criteria
for publicly-funded homebirth programs and other related factors that affect access
to these programs.
Methods
A Google search was conducted for publicly-funded homebirth programs listed on the
National Publicly-funded Homebirth Consortium website. Public websites, documents,
and policies were analysed to identify inclusion and exclusion criteria for these
programs.
Findings
Eleven of the 15 publicly-funded homebirth programs mention the availability of homebirth
on their health service website, with varying levels of information about the inclusion
and exclusion criteria available. Two of the programs with no information on their
health service website are covered by a state-wide guideline. Additional details were
sought directly from programs and obtaining further information from some individual
homebirth programs was challenging. Variation in inclusion and exclusion criteria
exists between programs. Common areas of variation include restrictions relating to
Body Mass Index, parity, age, English language ability, tests required during pregnancy,
and gestation at booking to the homebirth program.
Conclusion
The inclusion and exclusion criteria for a publicly-funded homebirth program determines
women’s access to the program. Limited publicly available information regarding inclusion
and exclusion criteria for many publicly-funded homebirth programs is likely to limit
women’s awareness of and access to these programs.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 01, 2021
Accepted:
January 10,
2021
Received in revised form:
December 2,
2020
Received:
October 3,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
