A midwife operating a home birth service in Lund, Sweden, has received extensive criticism from the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) for multiple regulatory violations. According to reports from Sydsvenskan and Aftonbladet, the midwife, identified as Jeanette Thuresson, failed to provide pregnant women with sufficient information about the risks associated with home births.
The criticism from IVO covers several areas of concern. The inspectorate found that medication was being prescribed verbally, a practice that should only occur in emergency situations. Additionally, individual physician orders for medications were missing, and patient record documentation did not meet legal requirements. The midwife's business, which started in October 2024, was inspected approximately six months later, revealing these deficiencies.
the healthcare provided during home births does not in all respects meet the requirements for good care
IVO stated in its decision that 'the healthcare provided during home births does not in all respects meet the requirements for good care.' The midwife must now present measures to address the shortcomings if the business is to continue operating. According to the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) guidelines, midwife-assisted home births may only be considered for women who have previously given birth and have uncomplicated pregnancies, but the Lund service was reportedly offered to first-time mothers as well.