Choosing Your Place of Birth
In a Nutshell
Where to give birth in the US
There are many factors to think about when you decide where to give birth. These may include medical factors, location of preferred provider, where you feel safest, and where you feel most comfortable.
- Hospital - Hospitals offer a wide variety of options. Many hospitals have doctors and midwives attending births. If you, your baby, or your pregnancy have any health concerns, this may be the best choice. Hospitals offer IV pain medications, epidurals, and cesarean birth if they are wanted or needed. While interventions are not required, they are more available in this location. A hospital is a great choice for you if you prefer having all that modern medicine has to offer quickly available. This is an appropriate option for both low-risk and high-risk people.
- Freestanding Birth Center - Birth centers are an out of hospital option. They are often run by midwives. Sometimes described as a "maxi home," not a "mini hospital", birth centers offer a home-like setting with birth equipment available if needed. This is a good middle option if you don't want to be at a hospital but also don't want to be at home. This is an appropriate option for low-risk people.
- Home - Birth happens in the comfort of your own home. Typically home births are attended by a midwife who works with you during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and afterwards. They bring skills and equipment to be available if needed during labor and birth, make sure you and your baby transition well, and then help clean up. This is appropriate for healthy, low-risk people.
Dig Deeper
Many soon-to-be parents think that their only option is to have their baby in a hospital with an physician or nurse midwife. Physicians typically include obstetricians and family practice. Obstetrics is a surgical specialty dealing with pregnant people, babies, and birth. Family practice doctors provide care throughout the life span and some attend births. Many nurse midwives work in hospitals with physicians, although some work in birth centers, some have home birth practices, and some do a
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Your Selection
Hospital Birth
Hospital
This is the best choice if it is where you feel most comfortable and/or if you have risk factors that may affect you, your pregnancy, or your baby. “High risk” may include pre-existing conditions, issues that start in pregnancy, or concerns about baby. Another reason people may choose a hospital is for access to pain medication, such as an epidural, induction, or other tools. If a hospital is your only option, there are many things you can do to improve your experience, such as using [M]otherboard to educate yourself and hiring a doula.