Hospital
1. Immediate access to trained medical professionals. All you have to do is push a button and a L&D nurse is right at your bedside. Additionally, if your doctor has a hard time getting to the hospital, there are other doctors on staff at the hospital that can attend to your birth.
2. Consistent, if not constant, monitoring of your vitals and your baby's vitals. Some states mandate which healthcare providers can and cannot use certain monitoring technologies during birth. At a hospital, all monitoring techniques can be used by trained professionals.
3. Immediate access to advanced medical technologies and facilities. Should complications arise, or should you choose to have a medicated birth, the necessary professionals, tools, facilities, and medications are available at your fingertips in a hospital.
4. It is the safest environment for high risk pregnancies to deliver. Mothers with high risk pregnancies should only give birth in a hospital in order to maintain the health and safety of themselves and their baby or babies.
5. Anesthesiologists are on staff to deliver pain medication during labor should you choose medicated birth. Only certain trained professionals can administer pain medications like epidurals and other meds.
6. Close monitoring of you and your baby's health after delivery. Nurses and doctors will monitor both of your recoveries and your baby will even get his/her first visit from a pediatrician.
Cons:
1. Can seem impersonal and intimidating, especially larger hospitals with lots of staff.
2. The constant coming and going of staff takes away an aspect of privacy and may interrupt your resting time.
3. Some hospitals have shared rooms, so you may need to share with another mother, her baby, and whoever else she may want to visit her/stay with her.
4. Your newborn will be monitored frequently, so the staff may take him/her away more frequently to run tests or screenings than you would like.
5. You will be bound to some hospital policies and procedures that you otherwise wouldn't be if you give birth at home. For example, visiting hours, restriction of certain visitors (very young children that aren't siblings of the newborn), and not being able to eat during labor (in case of a c-section).
6. High cost. Starting at $6,000 for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery up to $20,000 for a c-section. If you have good insurance, it will cover most of the expense, but if you are paying out of pocket, the price can seem pretty unmanageable.
Birthing Center
Pros:
1. More comfortable, home-like environment than most hospital settings. Although some hospitals are moving more towards comfortable environments, birthing centers specialize in creating a home-like atmosphere.
2. Most are affiliated with a hospital nearby, so they have a tried-and-true method of transferring should the need arise. Some birthing centers are even in the same medical complex, making a transfer quick and relatively easy.
3. Generally cheaper than a hospital birth (around $5,000 depending on the birthing center). If cost is a factor for you, a birthing center may offer a more feasible opportunity with medical professionals on hand and a more structured environment.
4. More likely to focus on natural birthing methods like birthing balls, tubs, and other natural ways of managing pain during labor. If you are aiming to have a natural birth, birthing centers will be a great environment to help you stay on track with your hopes for natural means of handling pain.
5. If the birth goes well, some will offer you to leave the birthing center within a few hours after birth. If you want to be home soon after, they can discharge you fairly soon so you can recover in the comfort of your own home.
Cons:
1. You will not have the option of getting an epidural or more intense methods of pain management (some birthing centers may offer mild narcotics).
2. If you are at a birth center that is not affiliated with a hospital, it could be a while before you are transferred if complications arise.
3. Lack of all medical technology and equipment available in hospitals.
4. Make sure the birthing center you choose adheres to proper regulations, has insurance, and has guidelines for practice. Some freestanding birthing centers do not and, therefore, have no one that they report to in case of mishandling of birth.
5. While birthing centers are generally safer than delivering at home, they are still not as safe as delivering in a hospital when complications arise.
Home
1. The birth occurs in a familiar, comfortable environment.
2. Lower rates of medical interventions like C-sections and episiotomies.
3. Generally a safe alternative for healthy, low-risk mothers that have had adequate prenatal care with the assistance of a licensed midwife.
4. There are no limitations to who can attend your birth or visit you during your recovery.
5. You have the most control and privacy during a home birth.
6. Cheapest option out of the three. The only costs that you will be covering are the midwife and any other professionals that you have attend the birth (like a doula or midwife's assistant).
Cons:
1. Home birth is not an always option if you have had any complications during pregnancy or you have a high risk pregnancy (previous medical issues, carrying multiples, previous miscarriages or stillbirths, etc.).
2. A recent research article found that babies born at home are about 3 times more likely to die than babies born in a hospital (Wax et al., 2010).
3. If medical complications arise for mother or baby, there will be delayed access to necessary medical equipment and personnel. Even women who have had healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies need to have a backup plan in place for a transition from home to the hospital if complications arise during labor.
4. You will not have the option to use pain medications at home with the exception of over-the-counter medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy.
5. Some insurances will not cover the cost of a home birth. Make sure you check with your insurance provider before you make the decision to give birth at home.
Disclaimer: The "Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth" blog series is meant as a source of general information only. It's intended use is to encourage women to further consider and discuss reproductive and birthing decisions themselves, with their partners, and with their medical care providers. Information included in this series is not intended to be professional medical advice or a substitution for a relationship with a licensed physician or practitioner. Any serious questions or concerns about reproductive, prenatal, and/or perinatal health should be directed to your primary care physician or other licensed specialist. Women's Services and Resources does not promote any particular brand, medical provider, birthing location, or any other specific birthing decisions. We strongly encourage women to become as educated about their choices as possible so they are empowered to make educated decisions for themselves and their babies. ADSENSE HERE