Verywell / Madie Goodnight Key Takeaways Home births are on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic as hospitals have imposed restrictions during delivery in the interest of safety. There is debate around the safety of home births, and some women are better candidates for this option than others. There's always a risk of unanticipated complications, so talking with your doctor well in advance is crucial. In the United States, less than 1% of births happen at home.