As you prepare for birth, one of the decisions that you need to make is where to have your baby.
Some women decide to give birth at the hospital or a birthing center, while others opt for home birth.
This is a matter of preference and it is the mother's choice on where she wants to have her baby.
As the 21st century arrived, advances in science and technology improved many facets of our lives.
Despite this progress, however, many women choose to give birth at home.
Historically, almost all babies were born at home until about 1920.
Around that time, improved pain control measures became available and more women were drawn to give birth at hospitals.
This began a trend.
But over the years, we've learned that hospital births do not improve the outcome for low-risk births.
Each of the locations (hospitals, birthing centers, or home) have different advantages that each mother should consider when making a decision on where to give birth to their babies.
Hospital Birth A hospital environment is the safest place should an emergency arise.
The anesthesiologist and all the necessary medications are readily available.
So are the pain control measures.
The availability of specialists makes the hospital setting a perfect place for women with high-risk health issues.
On the other hand, the hospital has a seemingly sterile and impersonal character, provides a lot of stress and no privacy, while allowing for no flexibility.
Also, the mother and the baby have the greatest chance for infection in the hospital as opposed to a birth center or home.
In a hospital, birth might be treated as a surgical procedure, thus moms are not allowed to eat or drink, and do not have a choice of selecting the most comfortable position.
The medical team appears to be in charge of timing, positioning for, and progression of birth.
Hospital birth has the highest chance for a Cesarean birth.
Birth Center Birth Nurse midwives who provide fewer medical interventions typically staff birth centers.
Natural pain control options, such as Jacuzzis, might be available for mothers.
Mothers can choose the birthing position and there is no restriction of food and drink.
While giving birth at a birth center might seem to be more comfortable, a mother and/or the baby need to be transferred to a hospital should complications arise.
Also, the mom and the baby are required to leave the center within several hours (typically 6-10) after delivery.
Not all insurances cover this type of birth.
Home Birth Research published at the British Medical Journal concluded that planned home births for low risk women with the assistance of certified midwives provided less medical intervention and resulted in mortality equal to that of low-risk births taking place in a hospital setting.
This finding is reassuring to women with low-risk pregnancies about the safety of a home birth.
Giving birth at home is relaxing, as it takes place in a familiar environment among family members and assisting midwives (who most likely provided prenatal care to the mother during her whole pregnancy).
There are no restrictions on timing, progression, or length of delivery.
The women can eat, drink, and change positions as desired based on the comfort level.
Home birth has the lowest risk for a Cesarean birth.
However, a transfer to a hospital is required in case of complications.
Also, in home birth, there are no pain control medications available.
This type of birth is not covered by all insurances.
So how do you make the best choice? 1.
Interview the medical professional taking care of you during your pregnancy 2.
Visit various facilities in your area 3.
Read research and talk to other women 4.
Check which options are covered by your insurance
Some women decide to give birth at the hospital or a birthing center, while others opt for home birth.
This is a matter of preference and it is the mother's choice on where she wants to have her baby.
As the 21st century arrived, advances in science and technology improved many facets of our lives.
Despite this progress, however, many women choose to give birth at home.
Historically, almost all babies were born at home until about 1920.
Around that time, improved pain control measures became available and more women were drawn to give birth at hospitals.
This began a trend.
But over the years, we've learned that hospital births do not improve the outcome for low-risk births.
Each of the locations (hospitals, birthing centers, or home) have different advantages that each mother should consider when making a decision on where to give birth to their babies.
Hospital Birth A hospital environment is the safest place should an emergency arise.
The anesthesiologist and all the necessary medications are readily available.
So are the pain control measures.
The availability of specialists makes the hospital setting a perfect place for women with high-risk health issues.
On the other hand, the hospital has a seemingly sterile and impersonal character, provides a lot of stress and no privacy, while allowing for no flexibility.
Also, the mother and the baby have the greatest chance for infection in the hospital as opposed to a birth center or home.
In a hospital, birth might be treated as a surgical procedure, thus moms are not allowed to eat or drink, and do not have a choice of selecting the most comfortable position.
The medical team appears to be in charge of timing, positioning for, and progression of birth.
Hospital birth has the highest chance for a Cesarean birth.
Birth Center Birth Nurse midwives who provide fewer medical interventions typically staff birth centers.
Natural pain control options, such as Jacuzzis, might be available for mothers.
Mothers can choose the birthing position and there is no restriction of food and drink.
While giving birth at a birth center might seem to be more comfortable, a mother and/or the baby need to be transferred to a hospital should complications arise.
Also, the mom and the baby are required to leave the center within several hours (typically 6-10) after delivery.
Not all insurances cover this type of birth.
Home Birth Research published at the British Medical Journal concluded that planned home births for low risk women with the assistance of certified midwives provided less medical intervention and resulted in mortality equal to that of low-risk births taking place in a hospital setting.
This finding is reassuring to women with low-risk pregnancies about the safety of a home birth.
Giving birth at home is relaxing, as it takes place in a familiar environment among family members and assisting midwives (who most likely provided prenatal care to the mother during her whole pregnancy).
There are no restrictions on timing, progression, or length of delivery.
The women can eat, drink, and change positions as desired based on the comfort level.
Home birth has the lowest risk for a Cesarean birth.
However, a transfer to a hospital is required in case of complications.
Also, in home birth, there are no pain control medications available.
This type of birth is not covered by all insurances.
So how do you make the best choice? 1.
Interview the medical professional taking care of you during your pregnancy 2.
Visit various facilities in your area 3.
Read research and talk to other women 4.
Check which options are covered by your insurance
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