Home birth is a great option for low-risk women. Research has shown that home birth attended by a qualified midwife is just as safe as a hospital for low-risk pregnancies. Most common labor complications can be addressed at home by a well trained provider. A midwife can monitor you and your baby easily from home. It is ideal for those who want to experience natural birth, have a personalized birth experience, and desire complete freedom to move around, eat and drink during labor, and deliver in any position. Another benefit is being in a comfortable environment that you feel safe in, and surrounded by whoever you would like to attend your birth. There is no tense drive to the hospital, just a calm and relaxed environment where you are tucked in bed with your baby after birth to truly rest and bond. Home birth is an excellent choice if you’d like the benefits of water birth, as well! There are only natural pain relief options available at home, so if you’re wanting an epidural, you will need to transfer to a hospital. It is not considered the safest option for those with chronic health conditions or pregnancy complications, or those who are having breach or multiple births. Consult with a qualified midwife to see if you are a good candidate for a home birth.

Birth centers offer many of the same comforts of home births and are traditionally run by midwives. They are ideal for women wanting a natural childbirth with the freedom to move around, eat and drink during labor, and be surrounded by friends and family. They are generally quiet environments that are quite relaxed and many birth center rooms look like a cozy hotel room. Most of them offer large birthing tubs for those seeking a water birth. This can be a great option for those seeking natural birth without medical pain relief. For those wanting that epidural, you’re out of luck! You’ll need to transfer to the hospital for that. Birth centers are doula friendly and have a lot of great tools to help women naturally. You will receive little to no pressure for medical interventions unless they are absolutely necessary. The drawback of the birth center is that it does include a sometimes stressful car ride during labor. Most birth centers release mom and baby just a few hours after birth so you can go home and snuggle up with your baby.

Hospital births are the type that most people think about when get pregnant. They’re the most popular choice. Hospital births have a clear upside when it comes to pain relief (hello epidural!), and they are by far superior for women who are having high risk pregnancies or have chronic health conditions that make it dangerous to give birth in other settings. They are excellent at managing complications quickly when they arise. The downside to hospitals is that low risk women or those having natural births are often pressured into more interventions that aren’t needed. Women will generally receive several vaginal exams, get an IV and be monitored continuously. Hospital births come with a higher risk of infections, more episiotomies, deliveries assisted by vaccuum or forceps, and augmentation of labor by breaking water and administering pitocin. Planned hospital births of course have a much higher c-section rate than those with planned out-of-hospital births. The U.S. c-section rate is around 32%, much higher than the WHO reccomendation of 10-15%. C-sections have many risks for mothers and babies, as well as a much longer recovery time, so it is best to avoid if possible. There are of course some medical indications where it is safer to perform a c-section, and this is where hospitals shine.

Things to consider:

• Do you have medical complications that require a hospital? If you aren’t sure, consult with a qualified midwife. Midwives are trained to identify risk-factors. If you’re high risk, a hospital birth is your safest choice. If you’re low-risk, you have choices.
• Do you know you want an epidural? It’s okay to know your limits!
• Are you willing to learn ways to cope with natural childbirth pain?
• Are you strongly opposed to medical interventions?
• Who do you want to attend your birth? Home births and birth centers are more flexible?
• What kind of environment do you want? Do you want dim lighting, soft music?
• Where would you feel the most safe and supported?
• Where do you envision bringing your baby into the world? A cozy bed? A warm bath tub? A hospital bed? Squatting or on all fours?

Interview a home birth midwife, or three! Take a free tour of a birth center. Then do the hospital tour. See which option feels right to you. Which option is going to get you closest to your dream birth?