In Brazil, giving birth at home rather than in a hospital has been associated with lack of economical resources and with difficulties in accessing health services once 98% of births occur in hospitals. Although there are more obstetric hospitals in big urban cities, women from middle classes have chosen planned home births. This research discusses the meanings of this choice. A qualitative research was carried out and 20 women who planned and had home births were interviewed: 19 interviewed women had graduated from a university course, 1 of them had not finished her university course; and 10 women had already given birth in hospitals. The analysis of the interviews revealed the meanings of choosing home births which were divided into four categories: home birth as an alternative to the current model of obstetric care; hospital, a place to be avoided; "I am not crazy, I have information about it!": repercussions of home births compared to the health system; home birth plays a role in empowering women.
planned home birth; birth care; production of meanings