FAQ: Where did you give birth and why?

tokenhoser

Hospital, birthing center, home?

Am I missing any options? What are the pros and cons of each location? Why did you go where you did?

abell77

I gave birth at a very natural birth friendly hospital.  I feel very fortunate I have this hospital available to me, because it is completely unlike any other hospital in our area.  For myself I am not comfortable with a birth center or home birth, so I am so grateful that this hospital option exists where I can have the kind of birth I want with all of modern technology available just steps away in case of emergency. 

laurasuzanne2006

i decided i didnt want a hospital birth after my labor and delivery rotation in nursing school.  granted each hospital is different, but i felt you never really know how natural birth friendly they really are until you are already there for delivery.  I've just know a lot of people who've planned natural births in a hospital and things haven't gone according to plan.  This is our first and I was too worried about having something happen that could complicate natural births for future births as well.  Guess I'm really skeptical we opted out of a birth center just because the closest one is an hour away.  i also work 45 minutes away from home and plan to work until labor starts, so i just didnt feel the distance was worth it.  so that left home for us  

tokenhoser

There are no birthing centers in my city, and all births are handled by one hospital, so my choice was the only hospital or home. I chose to go to the hospital. I also chose to labour at home as long as I could - and as a result I arrived 10 cm dilated. There was little time to suggest any interventions, and I had a very good experience. My doctor supported my choices (that we had previously discussed). I wasn't comfortable doing a home birth for my first, and I really liked my family doctor that I delivered with.

Likely, I'll return to the hospital for my second. I can see the pros of a home birth, but I don't dislike the hospital enough to want to give birth at home.

kaeti_su

Hospital. If we had had a birth center nearby, I would have probably opted for that. For me, homebirth was not something I could be comfortable with, since the nearest hospital is a minimum of half an hour away.

I had a great experience at our hospital. I chose a CNM as my care provider and discussed my plans for a natural birth with her at my first prenatal appointment. Similar to tokenhoser, I arrived at the hospital dilated to 9cm, so there wasn't much time for any suggestion of interventions, so I can't speak to whether or not there would have been any pressure for them at my particular hospital.

At any rate, I felt comfortable with being at the hospital in case of any emergency situation. I took childbirth classes at the hospital, which I really liked because I became so familiar with where everything is on the maternity floor, what the delivery rooms are like, what the hand soap smells like, etc. It helped that the nurse who taught the class was very natural birth-friendly, having had pain med-free births with her children.

Sharon21

I delivered at a natural birth center inside a hospital. I was lucky enough to have the best of both worlds. The birth center was very natural no monitors, no pitocin, no pain meds etc. but there was labor and delivery right down the hall with a level 4 NICU had an emergency arose.

I had a very supportive team of 4 midwives and 2 OBs all of whom completely supported natural birth, even the OBs. In fact the head OB's wife gave birth to all 8 of their children naturally. I got to know all of them during my pregnancy and every one of them made me feel like I was their only patient.

I had an awesome birth experience and will be returning for any future deliveries. 

diamondcks

I gave birth at a freestanding birth center.

I saw an OB until 30 weeks, at that point I realized that I didn't trust her, and that everything that scared me about birth was due to the hospital, not the actual giving birth.  Even if I had decided I just didn't like that OB, she was the only one that delivers at our local hospital.

DH and I went and toured the closest birth center, about a 1hr 45min drive, and decided that is where we wanted to have our baby.  We loved the midwife that we met, the birth center was very comfortable, and we liked their model of care.  Starting with my first appointment at 32 weeks we got to meet all three of the midwives as well as the interns that also work there. 

I went into labor at 41 weeks and we left early to drive to the birth center.  After a normal and calm labor we welcomed my DS.  I can't wait to go back to the birth center for my next LO.

BrideNamedMeg

Hospital with my first, home for my second.  I liked the hospital, but not their policies and procedures.  I had a med free birth, but my DD ended up in special care as a "precaution" and it really soured our entire experience. 

Being at home was great.  Our midwife was very capable and we trusted her completely.  If she had felt we needed to transfer we had a few options (closest only minutes away vs. more natural-birth friendly hospitals that she had connections with) so no matter what we knew we'd be taken care of.  At home I was able to deliver a  9lb, 5oz posterior baby with no medical interventions.  In a hospital I'm positive I would have ended up with an epidural and likely a c-section for failure to progress. 

If we had a birth center locally we might have considered that as well.   As it is, the closest one was well over an hour away and now has a lot of hospital-like policies in place which seem to defeat the purpose of being at a birth center.

stahlop

I gave birth at home because I wanted a natural, nonmedicated birth and I felt home birth was the only way I could do that.  I didn't want any drugs nearby 'just in case' and I didn't want to be pressured into any unnecessary interventions.  I'm glad I did this because I ended up having a posterior baby with a military style presentation (chin up instead of tucked) and head to the side.  I also didn't progress very fast (25 hours or 3 days of labor depending on how you look at it).  Had I been in the hospital, I most likely would have been given pitocin to speed up my labor and most likely have had a c-section for the posterior position.  I delivered naturally, with no drugs and I didn't tear or have any complications.

KateLouise

I gave birth at a hospital with a midwife.

Our hospitals here in NZ are very natural birth friendly.

I'm also someone who is fearful of the "what ifs". I always find hospitals soothing and relaxing, and so I knew I would feel relaxed in a hospital setting and to my mind feeling relaxed is a big part of going natural.

We also transferred to a birth centre after the birth, which gave me and DH two days of a hotel type stay. with round the clock midwife care to help us with any issues, getting baby to latch well etc etc.

FyshWyfe

I gave birth at a natural birthing center staffed by CNMs.  We made that choice because it was our first baby and we felt unprepared for a home birth (which was/is our goal for baby #2).  We felt safe with the level of education and training that the MWs had, the proximity to the hospital, and the statistics they provided regarding their outcomes.  Also, their facility was beautiful and home-like, but modern and well-equipped.  It was also affordable.  The care they provided during prenatal appts was unparalleled, and I felt like I became friends with a number of them.  They allowed us the freedom to make educated choices all along the way (i.e. gave us options but never said we HAD to do anything, including antibiotics for GBS+). It was, overall, the perfect setting for us as first timers.  

 This time we will be birthing at home.  We want to be in the peaceful surroundings of our own home and have no fears whatsoever about the risks.  We are 7 minutes from a hospital and trust our MW unquestioningly.  I am much more excited about this birth than I was our first, because I expect a peaceful and spiritual experience. 

perplexed59

At home. I'm scared of the doctors at our hospital and knew I would get what I want at home. I still had to go to the hospital after giving birth due to a small complication.

Next baby I will have at a hospital under a midwife's care. My labour and delivery was really quick. Having a home birth was too much work and money (supplies) for the amount of time it took. I stressed for weeks up to 3 hours before the baby was born about the state of my house. I just rather labour at home as long as I can,  go to the hospital have my baby and come home 3 hours later. No mess to clean, no meals to prepare for midwives and no money spent (unless I want a room upgrade). Yeah Canada.

Mrs.Handy

I gave birth at a hospital with a MW. I trusted my practice and their very non-intervention approach. I arrived at the hospital 9.5 centimeters dilated as I was encouraged by my MWs to labor at home as long as possible. I labored at home with a doula and DH.

My MW was awesome and let me push for almost 3 hours. I know that other MWs or OBs wouldn't have let me go that long so I really was lucky.

I'm considering going to a Birthing Center next time to be more comfortable and to have access to a whirlpool but DH really feels like giving birth naturally in a hospital with a supportive MW is the best of both worlds. He likes the reassurance that they're right there in case something goes wrong. We'll see.

Mrs.Greeko

I had my first at a hospital.  I didn't really think too much about my options.  I just did what was easiest I guess.  My mom even had my brother had home, but it just never really occurred to me that that might be the way to go.  I really liked my OB.  I figured that the OB and hospital staff would put my and my baby's best interests first.  I ended up with a natural birth, but in the process a third degree tear and a lot of anger towards my OB and the hospital staff.  I should also mention that I labored at home as long as I could and showed up at 9cm.  I was only there for a bit over an hour before I was holding my baby.  And enough happened in that hour and the 48 hours following to make me not want to do it again.  As soon as we were driving our first DD home from the hospital I told my DH that I was never having another baby in the hospital again so he better get used to the idea of a home birth.

Thus my second was born at a free standing birth center.  The only one in my state in fact.  It opened it's doors two months after my first DD was born.  I chose to go there because now I knew that a hospital setting wasn't for me and DH was wary of a home birth.  I wasn't sick.  I wanted to be a person with real desires and real needs, not just a number with a checklist of things that needed to be done.  Peed in a cup?  check.  Registered?  Check.  Gown on?  check.  IV in?  Check.  Laying on back to push? Check.  I wanted my pregnancy and birth to be treated as a healthy normal condition.  I wanted to be heard and I wanted to be able to discuss everything that I needed to discuss without feeling like a bother.  I found the birth center and had a wonderful experience there throughout my pregnancy and delivery. 

So my third child will be born at the same birth center, although I probably could have talked DH into a home birth this time, I had such a wonderful experience with the birth center I'd really like to go back.  Barring any medical need to be born in a hospital of course.  I think hospitals are wonderful places for mothers and babies who have a true medical need to be there, but I don't think they are all that wonderful for the rest of the mothers and babies.  I think we've (the general American woman) been led to believe otherwise though.  There are probably better hospitals and providers who practice in hospitals out there.  But my view is forever tainted at this point unfortunately.  And nothing truly awful even happened, just a bunch of little irritants that added up to a lot of anger that I still carry today, and tomorrow my first daughter will be five years old.     

LindseyJW

I planned to have my babies at home because so long as I was low-risk, there was no need to leave home. I just see no need for being in an institutional environment unless there is medical need. 

I chose a practice of Certified Nurse-Midwives for my first birth, which ended in a hospital transfer for cesarean. I chose a solo practice Certified Professional Midwife for my second birth. I preferred the intimacy of one provider and the security that intimate relationship provided. It was very important to me that my care provider be on the same page as me concerning birth philosophy and that is next to impossible to ensure in a practice.

jteneback

I gave birth at a hospital because DD was a preemie and my planned home birth was no longer recommended.  I wanted to give birth at home to avoid unnecessary interventions and hospital policy, and be in a comfortable, non-medical environment.  Even though my hospital birth wasn't terrible, I will plan for a home birth again next time and hope I go to 37 weeks.

ridesbuttons

Hospital under the care of a GP.

No concerns about the medical team taking over.  Very small hospital (2 labour/delivery rooms, 2 recovery rooms: one private, one shared).

I pretty much always knew I wanted to be at the hospital.  I figured for me I would be as comfortable there as at home, plus the support of the nursing staff and doctors was fantastic.

I had the private room after my first child, I shared a room after my second.  Both were fine.  I didn't even mind having a roomate: I was bored the second time around and happy to have someone to talk to!

kesrya

I had a homebirth.

A hospital birth was never a consideration for me.  As a licensed acupuncturist whom treats pregnant women, I was not interested in the standard practices offered by our local hospitals and wanted an environment that was in line with my own practices of natural medicine.

While I receive many referrals from and refer to the two area birthing centers, ultimately I decided on homebirth over birthing center because of stress and anxiety I see many patients suffer from when they near the 42 week mark.  Due to the requirements of their liability insurance, the birthing centers may not deliver a woman who has reached 42 weeks, even if there are no signs of fetal or maternal stress.  They also are not permitted to deliver a breech baby and must refer the client for a c/s.  I was concerned about these possibilities and chose a homebirth CNM whom was not bound to either of these restrictions.

My baby turned very early in the second trimester, so that never ended up being a problem.  However, my pregnancy lasted 43 weeks and 1 day, so I was very pleased with my decision to homebirth as I would have been turned over to the hospital had I chosen the birthing center.

Birthing in the comfort of my home with a highly trained midwife staff (3 attendants total), my husband, and my mother was the most wonderful birthing experience I could imagine.  I could move freely; I had a large birthing tub that I used often; I ate what I wanted; I rested in my own bed.  When the birth was complete, the midwives cleaned everything up while I snuggled with my baby boy.  The midwives came to my home for my 72 hour follow-up appointment, and by the end of the week I felt fully recovered.

flyer23

DD was born in a hospital, because at the time, I didn't realize babies could be born somewhere other than a hospital In retrospect, I'm glad that's what I chose. I was GBS+, and ended up being induced at 41w6d. I'm not comfortable declining antibiotics for GBS or going past 42 weeks. Also, with DD being my first baby, it was nice having the nurses just a press of a button away whenever I had questions. So I really was in the right environment for that particular pregnancy and baby. I had a wonderful experience overall and I don't hesitate to recommend hospital birth to anyone when I feel that it's the right fit for them. No horror stories here.

With DS, I planned hospital birth for most of my pregnancy -- at a different hospital, as we had moved out-of-state since DD's birth. I chose two CNMs who deliver at a natural birth friendly hospital and was very satisfied with the care I got. But I ended up switching to homebirth at 36 weeks. More than anything, I just had the feeling that DS needed to be born at home... but a couple of specific reasons why I preferred homebirth:

1) The natural birth friendly hospital was a minimum 30 minute drive away from my home, and I was not looking forward to making that drive while in labor. (There is another hospital 5 minutes away that was my backup for homebirth, but it is not at all natural birth friendly, so I would never choose to deliver there.)

2) I wanted DD to be involved in labor/delivery, and when I took her to one of my prenatal visits and to visit the hospital, it was clear that she was (understandably) uncomfortable in that environment. I knew she would be much more comfortable at home -- and she was!

3) Along the same lines as 1) and 2), due to the distance between home and hospital, it was going to be very hard on DH to split time between DS and me at the hospital vs. DD at home. I wanted us to be together as a family from the start. That was very easy with homebirth.

4) Even the best hospitals have their policies that can get in the way of just being a mom. For example, in the early days, DS slept way better next to me, but I know the hospital where I planned to deliver does not allow co-sleeping. It was nice not having a hospital policy interfere with what was best for DS.

Barring medical complications that would necessitate hospital birth, any future babies will be born at home.

Oh, and I also considered some birthing centers with DS, but decided against them. As my midwife puts it, birth center births are simply "homebirth in someone else's home." All the birth centers in my area are at least 30 minutes from my home, so again, I didn't want to make that drive during labor. The only reasons why I would consider birthing at a birth center are if we ever move to a new home that is either unsuitable for homebirth (e.g. too small) or too far from a hospital to be able to safely transfer.