Hospital vs Birthing Center?

myndihallberg · August 2015

Difference? Any thoughts? Which would you prefer?

CCLow87 · August 2015

I would prefer a birth center, but I'm all about tie body doing what it knows how to do with minimal intervention! I'd go visit both and then see which place feels more welcoming to deliver a baby

Jules08 · August 2015

I don't know how helpful this will be, but ...

My OB is associated with a hospital in our area, in fact, her office is within the hospital building. Also within that hospital is a birthing center for all L&D patients. The birthing center is phenomenal, it's the only one in the state that is completely dedicated to childbirth. They have doulas on staff as well as lactation consultants to help mothers through birth and to help establish successful breastfeeding with mother and child. The birth suites are all private, have spa showers (with 10pt shower heads) tubs for laboring in, etc. They have multiple hospitality rooms for families, they have 2 fully stocked kitchens for patients and guests. You are in the same room for labor, delivery, recovery, and post-partum. They also encourage VBACs and have a success rate of 90% for VBACs.

Here is the Birthing Center's philosophy:

"We celebrate what you and your body can do. We want you to realize that birth is a normal part of life and natural process for a woman’s body. Instead of fear, The Birth Hospital culture revolves around the power and beauty of birth.

We believe that women should feel empowered to make decisions about birth—plus respected and cared for throughout the process. That’s what our positive and knowledgeable staff practices every day. You’ll feel it as soon as you enter our inviting and calm environment. You’ll see our philosophy come through in our programs, education and services. We’re optimistic that we can create the birth experience you desire. We’ll do the best we can to get you there."

(This is where I delivered DS and am planning to deliver 2.0 at)

ETA (from the Doula post): talking about how greatthe staff at the birthing center is ... "I should add that the rest of the staff was the same way. The anesthesiologist came to visit me when I first checked in to take care of the paperwork needed for meds. The thought process was that do it now, no pressure to do it later. They wouldn't come back unless I asked for them to and they knew I wanted to go pain med free. At hour 16 of labor (contractions 1.5 minute every 45 seconds) I asked for the epi. The anesthesiologist came in and said let's labor for a bit to really see how you are feeling, basically encouraging me in my initial decision to not use meds. I decided I wanted them and he was totally supportive. Later I needed to turn the epi off because it made me throw up multiple times, he came back and checked on me and again really supported that decision and helped me labor for a little while, etc."

I also wanted to add that every single nurse and doctor that I saw over the 4 days I was in the birthing center called me within the first week of being home to check on me and to see how we were all doing.

Ready4theParty · August 2015

Ours is similar as above. Birth center in the hospital. It was recently remodeled and I am so excited to deliver there in April. When I delivered two years ago you shared a bathroom and it was more of a hospital setting. Now it's more "home like" and you don't share an bathroom and have your own whirlpool.

mrstrax · August 2015

We don't have a separate birth center in town, just one within the hospital. I really like the one in our hospital, which is 6 blocks from our house, so no complaints here. I think it all depends on your hospital. If it's one that has shared rooms/bathrooms and moves you around all the time, I would prefer a birth center, but otherwise to me what matters more is the staff. Where does your preferred OB/midwife work?

mswings1 · August 2015

I planned to give birth at a stand-alone birth center with my first, he decided to come a month early though and since I wasn't full term I had to go to the hospital. Instead of going to the one closest to me I went to the one that the birth center staff recommended as being the most easy-going as far as letting me move around during labor and not pushing unnecessary medical interventions. I'm hoping to be able to stick with the birth center this time around!

PeggyOlsonFTW · August 2015

I'm going with the same hospital DS was delivered at. There is a birthing center right next door that's really highly rated, but I have ZERO desire to try for a natural birth. That being said, my hospital is pretty low intervention and very highly rated, so I feel comfortable there. No shared rooms or bathrooms either.

I'd check and see where your preferred midwife/OB delivers and check to see how far away from a hospital the center is and what their policy is regarding emergencies/transfer to hospital if needed.

myndihallberg · August 2015

My OB had his own private office in a medical plaza but does rounds and what not in the hospital right next door. I was thinking about a birthing center but I have nedlver given birth before and although I have a mindset of wanting to do a natural birth I don't know if I will be able to once the time comes. I want to though!! I know many women have done it but I've also heard the stories like "I'm never doing it again. It was the worst pain imaginable."

shelbibrooke82 · August 2015

I used an indian hospital that is very holistic and I had a midwife!!! She was FANTASTIC!!! I will use another midwife (hopefully the same one) again with #2!!!

Comparing with my sister my midwife sounded 10 times more connected to me that her doctor ever did!! Either way, whoever you choose will have the knowledge and training to deliver your baby and care for him/her until it's time to go home!! Good luck!

ekneipp · August 2015

So much variety, I love that we have options! For our first, as there are no birthing centers close by, we had a midwife and did a water birth in our local hospital. To me it was the best of both worlds. I had the birth experience I wanted but was right there in case something happened and our son needed quick attention.

MrsCayEye · August 2015

Hospital for me. The only birthing center close by is a 20 minute drive to the associated hospital, which would have been disastrous during my L&D with DS bc of complications. If we had a birthing center IN a hospital available, I would be all about it.

Shrmoss01 · August 2015

After having sudden complications in labor my first time I will never not be at the hospital for birth. I don't think birthing centers are a bad option but I would be sure that a hospital was as close as possible. I spiked a 103 degree temperature suddenly and it put both me and my son at a huge risk... Having medical care immediately did help me to still have my wish for a VBac just not as naturally as I planned!

franaldinio · August 2015

All depends on what you prefer I think. We don't have birth centers here and we have an awful C-Section rate so I'm opting for a home birth as long as we both stay fit and healthy. I think you need to check out both and do what makes you most comfortable.

mojomama6 · August 2015

I never really considered a birth center. My first two were born in the same hospital- the first was an amazing, empowering experience; the second was awful. Really awful. My last three have been born at home, and I imagine this one will be as well, unless my ob objects (he didn't previously).

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