A report published by UN agency had mentioned an estimated 358,000 maternal deaths occurred worldwide in 2008 [1], this figure showed 34% decline from the level of 1990 [2]. Despite this decline low income countries continue to account for 99% of maternal deaths primarily in Africa and South Asia [3]. Maternal mortality rate (MMR) shows a wide gap between rich and poor countries. Among developing regions South Asia has the second highest MMR at 280 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the global context [2]. The place of delivery is a crucial factor which affects the health and well-being of mother and newborn [4]. The percentage of birth attended by skilled health workers remains lower in South Asia i.e. 45% as compared to other Asian regions [5]. The percentage of institutional delivery was 20% in Nepal whereas 97% in Sri Lanka, and 39% in India [6].

In Nepal, MMR reported as 281 deaths per 100,000 live births [7]. Ministry of Health and Population has estimated that nearly 4500 women die every year from pregnancy related complications [8], mostly because of lack of skilled birth attendants and the absence of emergency services and equipments in rural health centers [9]. The vast majority (73%) of birth takes place at home in rural area of Nepal among them 55% of women are assisted by traditional birth attendants and relatives [10]. Some 40% deaths occur at home, 14% in transit to health facilities and 41% in health facilities [11]. A retrospective study done in Nepal has mentioned the major complications were retained placenta 84.1%, postpartum hemorrhage 17%, shock 10.2% and third degree perineal tear, the study revealed that home deliveries are associated with increased maternal morbidity related to the third stage complications [12]. Nepal had made an effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG-5) targeted for reducing MMR by three quarter to 134 per 100,000 live births by 2015 [13]. The MDG report showed little improvement in decreasing MMR in Nepal [14]. The achievement however is not uniform across the rural and urban setting and there seemed to be important disparities by caste/ethnicity, socio-economic and eco-geographical regions [15]. Proper medical attention and hygienic condition during delivery can reduce the risk of complications of mother and baby.

The Government of Nepal lunched free delivery services at any public health facilities in 2009, with safe delivery incentive program already in place that aims to save maternal and new born lives by encouraging more women to deliver their babies in health facilities [16]. Despite this still women deliver their babies at home in unhygienic condition. In the above context this study aims to identify the changing trends of delivery practices in terms of place and person in different time intervals and to explore the reasons why mothers prefer to give birth at home.

There was a considerable increase in institutional delivery over the different period of time. It was almost doubled as compared to women who had delivered their last child before 10 years and within the last 5 years. Similarly, a study conducted in Nepal showed the institutional delivery has increased from 8% in 1996 to 18% in 2006 [20]. Likewise other study conducted in Maharastra, India stated that percentage of institutional delivery had increased in different time period [21]. This might be due to the various programs along with safe motherhood and free services for institutional delivery. Safe Delivery Incentive Program (SDIP) and establishment of birthing centers in rural areas plays a vital role to increase institutional delivery.

Practice of delivery varied according to the place of residence. Women who reside in urban area had more institutional delivery than women from rural and remote area. The current finding was supported by DHS report, 2006 that almost 48% of the children in urban areas were born in a health facility, compared to rural area, (with 14%) [7]. A study done in Nepal revealed that skilled birth assistant during delivery plays a major role in the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity [22]. In our study almost 50% of women were assisted by unskilled persons. Women still delivered their babies in unhygienic condition and still practicing harmful instruments for cutting cord especially in rural and remote area. This might be because of the rural disadvantage characterized with poor or no education, transportation, harsher geographic conditions and unavailability of the maternal services.

The traditional view on delivery practice was one of the major contributing factors for home delivery. In Nepal especially in rural and remote area women still believe in faith and fatalism, accepting whatever the consequences will come. Distance between home and health center, difficult geographical territory, lack of transportation, financial constraints, household dominance of mothers-in-law are the main reported reasons behind home delivery. A qualitative study conducted in Nepal also mentioned that women have little or no power in their marital home and are almost entirely at the mercy of their mother in law’s perception of their pregnancy and delivery care needs [23]. Similarly a study done in Malawi has found that cultural factors are important for health care seeking behavior in all communities especially the influence from decision makers in the choice of place of delivery [24]. Likewise, distance and transport was found to be one of the most important determinants in the decision of not seeking modern health care [25]. Another study showed that many pregnant women do not even attempt to reach a facility for delivery by walking many kilometers. It is difficult in labor and impossible if labor starts at night, and transport means are also often unavailable. Those trying to reach a far-off facility often fail, and women with serious complications may die in route [26]. In addition to the physical obstacles, the finding of our study showed other kinds of barriers such as fear and feeling of insecurity towards institutional delivery especially the rural and remote women. They feel shy and embarrassed to receive services from health center.

The study findings reveal that lower the education of women, lower the likelihood of institutional delivery practice. A study done in Nepal showed that poor maternal education and multi parity were important independent factors in determining choice of home delivery [27]. DHS 2006 also indicated that there is a strong association between institutional delivery and mother’s education [7]. By ethnicity, Tamang, Danuwar and other ethnic groups had less institutional delivery practice than Bramhin/Chhetri. Another study done in Nepal also showed that Tamang ethnic groups were less likely to have had post natal care than Bramhin/Chhetri [28]. Thus finding of our study showed there are poor institutional delivery practices among Tamang, Danuwar and other ethnic groups.

Regarding relationship between (Antenatal Care) ANC visit and institutional delivery practice, women who visited four or more ANC were more likely to have had institutional delivery as compared to women who never visited ANC. Another study done in Nepal also found that around 90% of women who made four or more ANC visits delivered in hospital as compared to 18.18% of women who never made an ANC visit [29]. ANC, therefore, is seen as a pathway to the institutional delivery. Moreover, education of women, residency, ethnicity and number of ANC visits were significantly associated with delivery practices.

The changing trends of delivery practices of married women of reproductive age (MWRA) were remarkably increased in different time period. The increased trend is seen almost doubled within last 5 years. There was a noticeable difference in delivery practices between urban, rural and remote area. Women from remote area were practicing less institutional delivery as compare to urban women. There was almost half of delivery attended by unskilled person and harmful instruments were frequently used as cord cutting instruments. Kitchen was still the preferable place for delivery.

This study concludes that Socio-demography factors have significant influence in making a decision and choosing a place of delivery. Education of women and husband, residence and ethnicity are the important determinant of the delivery practices. Multi parity, teen-age pregnancy, less ANC or no ANC visits also significantly lead to home delivery. Majority of the respondents mentioned that lack of transportation, distance to health center, common perception ignoring to deliver in health institution, financial constraints, dominance of mother in-law and shyness or embarrassment appear as the main reasons behind home delivery.