Multiple home birth deaths occurring within just over a year are an exceptional phenomenon in Finland, where the vast majority of babies are born in hospitals. Home births have, however, quadrupled in Finland in the past five years.
The Central Finland Police Department is investigating the death of a newborn following a home birth last year but has declined to disclose further details. A criminal report for manslaughter has been filed in connection with the case, with the investigation focused on whether the attending midwife committed a crime.
The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, Valvira, confirmed to Yle last week that over the past year, it has been investigating multiple cases where a newborn has died following a planned home birth. The health watchdog did not disclose the exact number of such deaths but said it had investigated fewer than 10 cases involving fatalities and other complications from home births during this period.
Over the past year, Valvira has revoked or restricted the licenses of at least two midwives involved in home births.
"Generally speaking, complications like oxygen deprivation injuring a child or a mother's postpartum haemorrhage are birth-related emergencies that may be investigated," Leena Kinnunen of Valvira explained.
Women can opt to give birth at home or in a hospital, although health authorities do not officially support home births, with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommending that all babies be born in hospital. The public health authority has expressed particular concern at "freebirths," which are deliveries without any medical intervention and the presence of a midwife.
Figures from the THL show only two infant deaths were recorded in planned home births over the decade between 2013 and 2023. In both cases, THL reports that the foetus had died before labour began.
