Pregnancy and child birth - hospital, midwife, or home

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It's important to know what options are open to you when it comes to pregnancy child birth. That way you can make an informed decision on whether you want to give birth in hospital, at home or in a midwife led unit. You'll also need to make decisions on who will accompany you for the birth, whether or not you'd consider induction, how you want to manage pain and what post-birth care you require. It's best to talk through these decisions well before the birth when your mind is clear and objective.

Hospital births

Having your baby in hospital gives you access to the best medical technology and advice should you suffer any complications during the pregnancy child birth. You also have the option or partial or total pain relief and the knowledge that a Caesarean section can be performed if necessary. However, having a hospital birth means you have less control over your labor and doctors will make decisions for you. It's best to be clear in your birth plan about what you would like to do as making decisions at the time of while in labor can be difficult. You also need to consider what will happen at the hospital after the birth. Many women complain that being transferred to a public ward where others are talking loudly and having to use showers down the corridor is the worst part of the hospital experience. Consider your options before making a final decision and speak to your midwife, GP and friends before choosing a hospital for the birth.

Midwife units

Midwife-led units of a hospital offer all the benefits of a hospital birth but aim for as little medical intervention as possible unless absolutely necessary. The midwives work with you throughout the labor to help you have a natural birth and the units are usually smaller and more homey than hospital units. In addition, mothers can usually leave the hospital and get home sooner than with a normal hospital birth.

Home births

If you prefer the idea of giving birth at home you'll need to check if there are enough midwives in the area to support you. And as opinion is divided over the safety of home births your GP is only likely to agree to a home birth if you've had a normal, low-risk pregnancy. Giving birth at home will mean that maximum pain relief options such as an epidural are not available to you. You will however, be able to move around as you wish, try various birth positions and have greater control over your labor. If complications arise, however, you'll have to take an ambulance to the hospital.

Water births

Warm water helps your muscles to relax and many women opt for a water birth, where you spend part of labor in water or even give birth while in the water. Most water births are either in midwife units or at home, though some hospitals do offer the option of pool births. Again opinion is divided over the safety of water births and you need to speak to your doctor and your midwife about this and possible alternative pregnancy child birth options.

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