Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5559/di.00.0.00
Psychosocial Determinants of Home Birth Choice and Experience in Croatia – A Qualitative Study
Dora Lončarić
; Korijen i krila, Zagreb, Croatia
Sandra Nakić Radoš
; Catholic University of Croatia, University Department of Psychology, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Despite recommendations from the World Health Organisation
regarding the implementation of practices that encourage physiological
childbirth, active management of labour involving routine
interventions still predominates in Croatian hospitals. Therefore,
some women choose a home birth. This research aimed to understand
women's motivation for choosing home birth and the experiences
with home birth in Croatia. Thirteen mothers took part in
semi-structured qualitative interviews about home births. The results
showed that women opt for home birth due to dissatisfaction with
the healthcare provided in hospitals, the advantages of home birth,
and because they intuitively believed it was the right decision.
Experiences of home birth were positive – women emphasised trust
in their own bodies, satisfaction with holistic care from midwives
and doulas, pleasant emotions, the spiritual dimension of natural
birth, and the integration of childbirth into everyday life. The study
also described the community support women received, the stigmatisation
of home birth in society, and the need for improvements in
childbirth care in Croatia.
Keywords
home birth; natural birth; birth trauma; perinatal care
Hrčak ID:
350478
URI
Publication date:
1.9.2026.
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