Most people will give birth to their babies at home, in a hospital, or birth centre…

Most people will give birth to their babies at home, in a hospital, or birth centre (stand alone or attached to a hospital).

If you're considered to have a low risk pregnancy, any of these birth locations may suit. For those with some medical conditions or complications, it might be advisable to give birth in hospital where help from the obstetric team is available if required. This is a conversation that you should have with your obstetric doctor to help you make the best decision for you. In UK hospitals, midwives care for women throughout labour and birth, with obstetric doctors bringing their skills to assist, only if an issue arises and birth needs help.

People who give birth at home or in a unit run by midwives (birth centre) are less likely to need assistance such as forceps or vaccum (assisted birth). As birth centres and home births are not attended by doctors, epidurals are not possible. If you decide on a birth in one of these locations and then opt for an epidural, you would have to transfer in to hospital. A good note to make though is that people who give birth at home or in birth centres are often more relaxed in their environments making birth smoother and the need for an epidural less likely.

Are homebirths safe? There is some evidence that shows first births at home have a higher chance of transferring in to hospital than subsequent births. There is also a slightly higher risk of adverse outcomes for baby (9 per 1000 births at home vs 5 per 1000 births in hospital) click link in bio to read the birthplace study.

If you're having a subsequent baby, a planned home birth is just as safe as having your baby in hospital or a midwife-led unit. This is generally because having a straightforward birth first time around means that future births are more likely to be uneventful.

What about birth centres? These are facilities that are sometimes stand alone but often attached to a hospital. This makes transferring into hospital easier if an issue arises. A birth centre is ran by midwives and is usually a relaxed environment with a 'home from home' feel.

Wherever you choose, the place should feel right for you.