BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Though it doesn't appeal to all moms, some women prefer to deliver their babies in the peace and comfort of their own home.

About one in 200 women in the United States gives birth at home, and about 75 percent of those home deliveries are low-risk single births that are planned in advance.

Researchers from Maine Medical Center analyzed data from multiple studies regarding home deliveries versus hospital deliveries. More than 500,000 births were recorded.

Evidence showed that moms who planned home births needed less medical intervention, like painkillers and Caesarean sections.

Babies were also less likely to be underweight or premature with a home birth.

But, home births were associated with a significantly higher infant mortality rate. A lack of oxygen and failed resuscitation were the leading causes of infant death during or after the home delivery.

This suggests that the necessary equipment may not be available if the baby stops breathing during home births.

Midwives and home birth advocates said that the numbers of women who deliver at home are still low, so it's difficult to give concrete solutions about the results of the study.