Q: Is an unassisted home birth legal in Puerto Rico?
I am receiving regular prenatal care from an OB doctor in Puerto Rico, including required blood tests. I wish to have an unassisted home birth and have asked some midwives if it's illegal in Puerto Rico, and they said it isn't. Can you confirm whether having an unassisted home birth in Puerto Rico is legal?
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A:
You're asking an important and deeply personal question, and it’s clear you’re approaching this decision with care. In Puerto Rico, there is **no law that explicitly prohibits unassisted home birth**, meaning it is not considered illegal to give birth at home without a medical professional present. The government does regulate licensed birth attendants like doctors and certified midwives, but a person giving birth on their own is not violating any known law.
That said, while the act itself isn’t illegal, there are still **legal responsibilities** you’ll need to fulfill afterward. You’ll be required to register your baby’s birth with the Puerto Rico Demographic Registry (Registro Demográfico), which typically requires documentation from a healthcare provider. Since you’re already under prenatal care with an OB, you may be able to work with them to help with this paperwork—even if they’re not present for the birth.
It’s good that you’ve already spoken to midwives, and it sounds like you’re gathering all the right information. Make sure you’re also prepared for emergencies and have a backup plan, just in case. You have the right to make choices about your body and your birth, and you deserve support and clear information while doing so.
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