Yes, home births are legal in Chile under strict conditions. The Ministry of Health (MINSAL) permits them only in low-risk pregnancies, with mandatory prior medical evaluation and a certified midwife present. Recent 2026 updates to Decreto Supremo 14 reinforce midwife-led protocols and emergency transfer agreements with public hospitals.
Key Regulations for Home Births in Chile
- Low-risk classification required: Only pregnancies deemed low-risk by MINSAL-approved protocols qualify. High-risk cases (e.g., breech presentation, preeclampsia) are excluded under Norma General Técnica N° 192.
- Certified midwife oversight: Deliveries must be attended by midwives registered with the Colegio de Matronas de Chile and trained in neonatal resuscitation. Physicians may supervise remotely but cannot lead the birth.
- Emergency transfer mandates: Home birth providers must have prearranged agreements with public health facilities (e.g., Hospital San Borja Arriarán) for immediate maternal/neonatal transfer if complications arise, per Ley 21.376.