Birthing Centers vs Hospital Births

ClairasMommy · October 2012

I have been looking into the birthing center in our area to see what they have to offer. It seems like exactly what I am looking for....a way for me to go through the labor and birth naturally. With my dd she born at the hospital. I started out great trying to do it naturally and at 8 cm I gave into the epidural. I was hooked up to so many machines, IV's, catheter.....it was not what I had expected for the birth. She is a very healthy little girl so if that all happened the same way with this LO I would be fine, but I do want to experience having a complete natural birth. I feel that the hospitals were rushing me to get an epidural and as soon as I was comfortable they slowed everything down to help the lady in the next room having her baby. grrr... Anyways, the main reason for this post is to get opinions on who else is going to a birthing center...and if anyone has experiences from previous births that they would like to share that would be great! Thanks!

WearingRed · October 2012

Come back in a week or two and I will have a hospital vs birth center birth post. DD was born in a hospital and DS will be born at a birth center.

JuneBug86 · October 2012

I had a hospital birth and it was very natural. It was a very new modern hospital that entourages natural birth. I didn't go in suggesting much, they were the ones that suggested the bath tub, skin to skin right after delivery, keeping the baby with mom 24/7- not sending baby to a nursery (the maternity unit didn't even have a nursery!), no one ever suggested an epidural, I felt no rush for my labor to progress, very pro breastfeeding, etc.

If a hospital birth is what you want, I highly suggest researching a few. You might be surprised with what you find. Not all hospitals are crazy epi pushers.

Nechie122 · October 2012

I used a birthing center that is run by a hospital. But the difference in philosophy of care was huge. Even though the regular LD floor and all its hustle and bustle was just an elevator ride away, the birthing center was always serene and peaceful. The lighting, jacuzzi and oversized beds were more "hotel" aesthetic than hospital and no one fought you on the "little" things. I didn't have a single medical instrument on my body, not even a heplock. I could push in whatever position I wanted and DH and my doula actually climbed onto the bed with me. The only medical people in the room were a nurse and my OB; I didn't have strangers coming in and out. And after DD was born, we were immediately left alone to bond and no one disturbed us until several hours later.

Unfortunately, we had to be transferred to regular LD for one night because DD needed some extra monitoring. Man, I hated it. So loud, so much commotion, nurses in and out of my room constantly, no privacy. I realize not every hospital is like this, but this was your typical urban medical center. And I was just so thankful I was able to deliver in a place that felt warm and inviting and respected my wishes.

Calabaza78 · October 2012

Ultimately, I am very uneasy at hospitals for any reason, and I knew that would be a stumbling block for relaxing and having a natural birth. Since things stayed low-risk in my first pregnancy, I transferred care from a hospital-based practice to a freestanding birth center. I felt that at a hospital, I would have to advocate for a lot of my wishes to be fulfilled since they weren't necessarily the norm (i.e. no IV unless necessary, newborn exam completed on my chest, delayed bath, no eye ointment, etc.) I'm not a pushy person, and it made me uncomfortable that either my husband or I would have to go against the grain to have our wishes respected. I also didn't like the busy, beeping, "sterile" environment overall. (I realize hospitals are all very different, but ours did not seem to follow a lot of best practices for mom and baby.)

When I visited the birth center, I liked the more homey, private feel. That matches who I am as a person, and the type of environment I'd like to labor and birth in. The way I wanted to labor and birth was pretty much the norm there, so I didn't feel I had to be pushy about a birth plan document or anything to ensure our wishes were respected (no mom/baby separation, delay newborn exam for family bonding time if all is well, etc.)

KateLouise · October 2012

I've had two natural births. One in a hospital setting. One on my bathroom floor.

I'm someone who fears the "what ifs". I know that birth is completely natural and safe in low risk pregnancies yada yada yada, but I'm too aware of the things that could go wrong to choose anything other than a hospital birth.

However, I'm in NZ. Hospitals here are very pro natural birth in general. Plus I worked with a mw (most women here do) So I agree with pp that said do your research around what your hospital has to offer.

Having said all of the above, I'm very pro women birthing where they feel comfortable and think feeling comfortable plays a huge part in your labour progressing more easily. So if a birth centre will give you that, then definitely look into your options.

I think once you've looked into what you have in your area, then you'll know what makes you feel most comfortable.

ETA: I have lots of friends who have birthed at birth centres (in fact I'm the odd one out for being low risk and choosing the hospital) and had nothing but great experiences with their birth and after birth care.

diamondcks · October 2012

I've had two birth center births and both have been great. With my first baby i switched from an OB/hospital to a midwife/free-standing birth center at 32 weeks pregnant and it was a great decision. I realized that my fears about birth were centered more around the hospital and less around the actual birth. I also appreciated how relaxed all my appointments with the midwives were.

abell77 · October 2012

It really depends on the hospital. I delivered at a hospital that was very natural birth friendly, and in many ways it was very similar to being at a birthing center. Are there other hospitals in your area? I drove 45-60 minutes to be at the hospital I felt most comfortable at.

moshuya · October 2012

I LOVED my birth center. Like a previous poster said, it was so nice to be on the same wavelength as the providers and to not have to advocate for the little things, like not having a hep lock. I loved that I had a "real" bed, that after my DD was born, she, my husband, and I were able to all sleep together. It was just such a warm and caring environment. So much more welcoming than any of the hospitals I've been to. And, it was right across the street from a hospital, such that I would have been there in the amount of time it takes to prep an OR in case of an emergency. It was also just what I was looking for in a birth. Frankly, I went natural because I am t.e.r.r.i.f.i.e.d. of a long needle going into my spine. The prospect of routine IVs and the possibility of an epidural seemed worse to me than whatever pain labor would throw my way.) I knew that I would never be comfortable in the sterile hospital setting. But wasn't ready for a home birth. The birth center was PERFECT. And if you think it's what you're looking for, I would suggest seriously considering it. Just because it's the norm for women to birth in hospitals in the U.S. doesn't mean it's necessarily the right thing for every woman. If it's a reputable birth center, they will transfer you to be on the safe side if anything looks awry.

mom2be0912 · October 2012

Let me start with saying I haven't actually given birth yet. However, I LOVE my birthing center. Even if I end up getting transferred to the hospital for whatever reason, the care I've received from my MWs thus far has been nothing but amazing. I was extremely skeptical at first with all of my worries and concerns but after interviewing my MW at the BC, I felt so comfortable and if everything does go as planned, I will get the birth I've always dreamed of.

missmuffin87 · October 2012

I really loved my birth center experience. I was the only woman giving birth that day so I had just the right amount of attention when I needed it. I wasnt hooked up to any medical things, not even a monitor. No one was telling me how many cms i was and not one mention of an epi. There were no nurses, just my midwife. Then when it was time to push the 2 other midwives in the office that day came in to help and cheer me on. It was really sweet. We got to hang out and bond for a while afterwards and then I got up and walked out the same day. It was so nice to spend that first night with my baby at our own home.

katsue0xo · October 2012

Amen and amen. to everything. Well said, and my thoughts/experience exactly.

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