Now you are pregnant choosing where to have your baby can be a big decision, especially for first time parents. You may be wondering what options are available to you. Below we have detailed the options available and the advantages and disadvantages for those options, but be sure to discuss any concerns you may have with your midwife.
Midwife Led Units or Birth Centres
Midwife led centres and birth centres can be part of a hospital maternity unit or can be completely separate.
The Advantages to giving birth in a Midwife led centre of birth centre includes the following:
- Mid wife led units or birth centres tend to be more homely and relaxed, which may help you feel more comfortable during your labour.
- You are more likely to be looked after by a midwife who you got to know during your pregnancy.
- You are more likely to get help with learning how to care for yoru baby after the birth.
- Birthing pools maybe available.
The Disadvantages to giving birth in a Midwife led centre or Birth centre includes the following:
- If any complications occur during your labour, you may need to be transfered to a hospital
- Pain releif options are more limited and Epidurals are not available in a Midwife led unit or birth centre, if you require one you will have to be transfered to hospital
Hospital Birth
Most women choose to give birth in an NHS maternity hospital unit. In a hospital unit you will be mainly looked after by a midwife, but doctors are also on hand should you require their help.
The Advanatges of giving birth in hospital include the following:
- If there are any complications you won't need to be transferred, you have direct access to obstetricians, anaesthetists and neonatologists.
- There is a wide choice of pain relief options, including epidurals.
- Should there be any problems there will be a special care baby unit on site
- Birthing pools maybe available
The Disadvantages of a hospital birth include the following:
- You may be looked after by a different midife from the one who looked after you during your pregnancy
- As hospital labour wards tend to be very busy, you may not get as much help with things like breastfeeding after the birth
Home Birth
If your pregnancy has no complications, you may decide to give birth at home. A home birth has become very popular in recent years with 1 in 50 babies being born at home. If you choose to give birth at home you will still be entitled to support from a midwife.
The Advantages of giving birth at home include the following:
- You will be in the comfort of your home, which may help you to relax more in labour
- If you already have children then you won't need to leave them
- You will not have to spend time in hospital away from your partner
- You are more likely to be looked after by a midwife who you know from your pregnancy
The Disadvantages to giving birth at home include the following:
- If any complications occur you may have to be transferred to hospital
- Limited pain relief options are available, including no epidurals.
