Taking the matter into one's own hands - Women's experiences of unassisted homebirths in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: There are no national guidelines or financial support for planned homebirths in Sweden. Some women choose to give birth at home without the assistance of a midwife. The objective of this study was to describe eight women's experience of unassisted planned homebirth in Sweden.

DESIGN: Women who had the experience of an unassisted planned home birth were interviewed. The material was analysed using a phenomenological approach.

RESULTS: The essential meaning of the phenomenon giving birth at home without the assistance of a midwife is understood as a conflict between, on one hand, inner responsibility, power and control and on the other hand insecurity in relation to the outside, to other people and to the social system. A wish to be cared for by a midwife is in conflict with the fear of not maintaining integrity and respect in this precious moment of birth.

CONCLUSION: Some women may be more sensitive to attitudes and activities that are routinely performed during pregnancy and childbirth and therefore choose not to turn to any representatives of the medical system. The challenge should be to provide safe care to all women so that assistance from a midwife becomes a reality in all settings.