I am a board certified EM doc. I am male, not married, and have no kids.
If this isn't as clear an indication of the risky nature, then nothing is.
Unattended birth has a reported death rate of 1/5 babies and 1/5 women. Home birth is a step up, because there is someone nominally trained in some manner - however, what about when the person assisting the delivery doesn't know what they don't know? Even 100 years ago, death during childbirth was not uncommon - just 100 years ago, WH Taft was president, Woodrow Wilson was governor of New Jersey, and Teddy Roosevelt was still kicking around. FD Roosevelt hadn't been stricken yet with polio (would be in 1921). "Our Town", written in 1937, speaks of it (although the scene to which is referred is based in 1913).
Childbirth is beautiful and natural and perfect - except when it isn't. When a child is born without breath or activity, or is stuck getting out, or there's a nuchal cord, that's why the obstetricians and other doctors are there. But, then again, that's why I'm there in the ED - most of my job could be done by a tech with a guidebook; hell, it could be done by a machine - except for the 5% that a nuanced, trained, experienced human brain needs to process, that doesn't fit a protocol or a program.
The actuaries in the malpractice industry ran the numbers, and it's a loser; remember "lies, damn lies, and statistics". Nobody thinks that their childbirth is going to be "that one", and everyone expects everything to be perfect, because "it's the 21st century!" However, no one leaves the house in the morning on their respective ways to work expecting to be in an accident on the way, to fall onto the subway tracks, to slip and fall walking into the building, to be assaulted by a coworker or client, or to have crushing chest pain while sitting at their desk. Likewise, for people to go to a lesser provider (and I say that intentionally) because the doctor and CNM were sagely and soberly advised to stop attending home births, it is akin to moving to another state without a helmet law because the first state has instituted one for motorcycle riders. Or, if the last licensed electrician leaves town, a homeowner contracts the guy who once touched a live wire when trying to steal copper. Hey, he knows electricity, right? (<-- sarcastic/hyperbolic example)
Time is brain, and, if the kid comes to me after being anoxic for 10 minutes, there's not a lot I can do. I can't uncook the egg.