When most women think about giving birth, we think about that hectic, panic-ridden car ride to the hospital and a sterile hard bed with nurses and beeping monitors. Your birthing experience doesn’t have to be like this. More and more moms are choosing alternatives on where to give birth, such as at home or even at a birthing center. Each of the three options certainly has their benefits and drawbacks, so how do you know which is right for you?
The Hospital
Let’s start with the classic hospital scenario. The benefit to going to the hospital is that you are in a place where, should any emergency arise, you are seconds away from assistance. Doctors and nurses are fully trained for emergencies, and the equipment needed to help is within reach. For women who have moderate to high-risk pregnancies, they typically are recommended to go to the hospital to give birth in case there are any complications.
Another benefit that some see to going to the hospital is that they do not make a mess in their home, and for the time they are there the new parents have staff at hand to help with any baby questions and concerns: from diaper changing to breastfeeding to immunization queries.
So what are the drawbacks? Lack of privacy is a major issue for many women. Not only could you potentially be in a room with up to 3 other strangers, but the hospital staff themselves may very well be complete strangers to you. Women also feel a lack of control in a hospital setting, as medical interventions (such as inductions and c-sections) are oftentimes forcefully encouraged to the point where a woman feels powerless and forced to agree.
Birthing Centers
Birthing centers are more into natural pain relief options, such as the use of hot and cold to control pain (those birthing Jacuzzis can work wonders!) and there are far less medical interventions. The midwife who helps you in the birthing process is usually well known to you by this point, and they do what ever they possibly can to ensure a natural, vaginal delivery.
Now, natural pain relief doesn’t work for every woman out there. Despite the Lamaze classes, the hypnosis classes and even sitting in hot water, some women truly cannot get through the pain without some sort of pain killer. Birthing centers unfortunately do not have these chemical options available, so a mother would need to then be transferred to a hospital should she want any pain killers.
If there are any complications during the birth, a woman will need to be transferred to a hospital as well. Of course, as with any situation, every second counts. This reason alone is usually why a mom will opt for a hospital birth rather than a birthing center birth. Also consider the fact that birthing centers will ask you to leave within 12 hours from the birth, and your medical insurance may not cover a birthing center.
Home Births
Up to the early 1900s, this is exactly where all women gave birth to their children: AT HOME. There is no arguing that a home birth is far more relaxing and that there is relatively little medical intervention ever involved. Your midwife works with you and allows you to choose your birthing positions at will. You are allowed to labor for as long as necessary, and the chance of both infections and c-sections are far lower than both a hospital birth and a birthing center birth.
Many of the “cons” for a home birth are the same as a birthing center: there are no chemical pain reliefs available, your insurance may or may not cover the costs, and any emergencies that arise require the mother to be transported to the hospital immediately. If you would like to have a water birth at home, you will also need to pay for the tub rental as well as any additional equipment.
The information contained here is only the tip of the ice berg. Ultimately it is up to you and your family to decide where you would like for your birth to take place. Be sure to talk to some new mothers and ask about their experiences with where and how they gave birth.
photo by Jenny Erickson
