The act of having a baby is a moment of great strength & passion. Where and how you choose to give birth can either enhance the life experience or diminish it. Please take advantage of this overview of the differences between home birth and hospital birth. While you read, remember that our so called modern method of "legs in the stirrups, up on a table" birth in hospitals comes from a point in history when Louis XIV commanded that a "viewing table" be constructed so he could better see the birth of one of his mistress’s children. Of course since he was the king it became the thing "au courant" to do among the elite and eventually made its way into the accepted norm.

Advantages of home birth...

Statistics show that home birth is as safe or safer than hospital birth for low-risk women with adequate prenatal care, and a qualified attendant.

At home a woman can labor and birth in privacy and comfort of the familiar surroundings of her own home, surrounded by loved ones, in whatever positions and attire she finds most comfortable.

The laboring woman maintains control over everything impacting her labor and birth. Meeting her needs is the only focus of all those present. Nothing is done without consent.

Labor is allowed to progress normally, without interference and unnecessary interventions.

Studies show that the risk of infection is reduced for both the mother and baby.

During labor the woman is encouraged to eat, drink, walk, change position, make noise, shower, bathe, etc.

Care-givers are invited guests in the birthing woman’s home. She can have anyone she desires present: family, friends, children, etc. Her medical team (midwife and birth assistant) do not go home because their shift is has ended. They also don't take the day off because they planned something else or because it is a holiday.

She doesn't have to worry about when to go to the hospital since her care-providers come to her.

Continuous one-on-one care is given by the midwife, providing ongoing assessment of the baby's and mother's condition throughout the birth process and postpartum period. Her care provider knows her well and she knows her care provider. They have established a trust relationship.

Women are supported throughout the hard work of labor, and encouraged through the personal experience being derived from such a powerful life changing event.

Bonding is enhanced and includes everyone who has contact with the baby including neighbors and relatives. Breast feeding is facilitated by the baby remaining with the mother.

Disadvantages of home birth...

Clients must assume a greater responsibility for their own health: physical, mental, and spiritual. This requires active ongoing participation in decision making in all aspects of their care, and a willingness to accept the consequences of those choices and decisions.

Since the hospital is currently the socially accepted location of birth, choosing otherwise may result in negative judgments and lack of support from others.

While most common complications of labor and deliver can be handled safely at home by a qualified attendant, some complications require medical attention. In such cases, transport to a hospital becomes necessary.

Personal arrangements must be made for meals, housekeeping, child care, etc.

Some insurance companies do not cover the cost of home birth.

Advantages of a birth center birth...

The facility is usually only provided for pregnancy and birth events.

In a birth center, pregnancy is considered a natural and healthy process.

During pregnancy and birth women are encouraged to show responsibility for their own health care.

It provides an alternative to parents not comfortable home birth, yet who are not wanting to give birth in a hospital.

It has many of the same advantages as home birth, such as greater parental control, non-interventive obstetrical care, freedom to eat and move during labor, and to give birth in any position, and to have family and friends attend the birth.

It offers personalized care at a much lower cost than traditional hospitals.

In most centers, parents can meet the entire staff prior to the birth.

The rate of cesarean and forceps deliveries is less than hospitals.

The discharge time after birth is normally measured in hours not days.

Disadvantages of a Birth Center birth...

Rigid screening criteria often eliminate healthy mothers, i.e., VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), mothers over 35, twin and breech births.

The mother is still moved to the birth center during labor, and still labors away from the home environment.

Many have rigid rules concerning transporting of the mother to the hospital (i.e., prolonged labor, ruptured membranes).

There are usually no pediatricians on staff if the baby has special needs.

The mother cannot remain at the birth center for a two or three day rest; discharge is usually within 6 to 24 hours after birth.

Advantages of a hospital birth...

Many mothers do not feel comfortable laboring anywhere but in a hospital.

Women who have pre-exisiting high risk medical conditions or those who develop high risk conditions are safest delivering in a hospital.

Hospitals are the only option when a cesarean is necessary.

Medical interventions are available immediatly and onsite, should they become necessary (no need to transport).

Meals and other daily necessities are provided by the hospital staff.

Disadvantages of hospital birth...

The parents are not on "home ground" and do not have the same control.

Hospitals can seem impersonal and intimidating.

The father is less likely to be actively involved in a hospital setting, and may feel like an "outsider".

Some routine separation of the mother and baby is almost always unavoidable.

The mother's birth is usually managed by experts trained in pathology, not normal births.

The mother is at a significantly higher risk of having an unnecessary cesarean section. (In Corpus Christi, TX that risk is more than 1 in 3)

The risk of complications or infections caused by medical interference to the mother and baby is greater among mothers who deliver in hospitals rather than with the help of a qualified midwife in their own home.

Less privacy is available.

Hospital schedules and routine proceedures often hinder the mother's ability to rest or bond with her baby.

No matter who your care provider is (even if it's a midwife), you are still bound by hospital protocols and procedures. It is very difficult to have a non-medical birth in most hospitals.