U.S. Home Births Rise In Pandemic To Highest Level In Decades

Increases in at-home births were seen across races and ethnicities, although home births were much less common among Hispanic women than others.

U.S. home births increased slightly in the pandemic's second year, rising to the highest level in decades, according to a government report published Thursday.

Among almost 4 million births in 2021, nearly 52,000 occurred at home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed. That's up about 12% from 2020, following a 22% rise from 2019 to 2020.

Increases were seen across races and ethnicities, although home births were much less common among Hispanic women than others.