An Empowered Birth: deciding where to deliver your baby. Home Birth vs. Hospital Birth

During labor, regardless of the details and particulars of how delivery progresses, each of us is asked to touch the depths of our being and traverse strong sensations and emotions that require all of our presence to navigate. Because of the intimacy and primal nature of childbirth, when choosing a birthplace the most important thing to ask ourselves is, “where will I feel safest and most empowered for labor, delivery, and postpartum?” 

We each have a unique set of values and life experiences that will impact where we will feel safe and empowered to enter the great surrender to the unknown that labor requires. I invite you to sit down and write out your desires, and also any fears that come up about labor, because these two pillars will help you to make an informed decision about where you want to birth. Here, I will outline the pros and cons of the three birthing place options to help with the decision making process. 

Remember, though we often envision our labor going a very particular way, labor is in the hands of the Mystery itself and is the Unknown embodied. Labor can pull us out of our comfort zone, and will sometimes push us into experiences that feel challenging and contrary to our desires. So, it is important that we map out all of our options and feel into all of the options that may present themselves during labor. Play with various birth plans, and see which one feels most resonant to you and your family!

Home Birth / Birth Center Birth: Studies have found that normal physiological birth is statistically safer than hospital birth. Perhaps this is because physiological birth supports the body in following its innate knowledge, but women who birth at home with a midwife are significantly less likely to experience complications such as episiotomy, assisted vaginal delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, 3rd or 4th degree vaginal tears. Additionally, studies have found that babies born at home are less likely to need resuscitation in the immediate postpartum, or oxygen therapy in the first 24 hours. 

Pros 

• Comfortable and familiar space

• Natural and physiological birth supported 

• Fewer interventions 

• Reduced likelihood of acute  tearing or other maternal complications 

• Ability to move freely during labor and listen to the body’s intuitive knowing of how to labor and birth 

• Supportive therapies such as aromatherapy, homeopathics, etc. 

• Possibility of delivering in a birth pool

• Freedom to eat and drink as desired during labor 

• Extensive physical and emotional support 

• Intimate birth team 

• Pre-existing relationship with birth team 

• Birth Center: safe and clean environment that is cozy, but outside of the home. Ideal for individuals whose house /  family is not equipped for home birth. Birth centers are typically very close to the hospital / EMT locations, allowing for an easeful transport if the need arises 

Cons

• No access to hospital amenities 

• No access to immediate emergency c-section 

• Non pharmaceutical pain medications 

• Will need to transport to the hospital in the event of an emergency 

Hospital Birth: 

Pros 

• pharmaceutical pain management options such as an epidural or nitrous oxide.

• Doctors, Anesthesiologists, and well equipped birth team is on site and ready to address any complications that arise 

•  possibility of an immediate c-section if needed 

• Shift changes offer new energy every 12 to 24 hours, and can be a huge support to maternal energy

• This setting may feel safer for the maternal nervous system!

Cons 

• Potentially more stressful and less comfortable setting

• Continuous assessment of vitals, likelihood of being attached to fetal monitors, IV, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, catheters, etc. during labor 

• Liberal use of pharmaceuticals for pain management

• Limited freedom with number of people present for support during labor 

• Often client cannot pick doctor / CNM / or birth team 

• Cascade of intervention more likely 

• Episiotomy / C-section

• Higher likelihood of being separated from baby in the immediate postpartum period. 

In Essence…

Deciding were to deliver is a deeply personal and intuitive decision; one that must be oriented around supporting the birthing person to feel safe, honored and powerful. Regardless of where you decide to bring your child forth through the rite of passage of birth, remember that the power is yours. Whether you are home or in the hospital, informed consent and choosing providers who will honor your choices, decisions, and preferences, is of utmost importance.

Curious to Explore Home Birth?

If you are a pregnant mama in Northern Arizona desiring to explore home birth, please reach out for a free consultation to explore what full spectrum midwifery care looks like! I am offering care to families in Prescott, Sedona, Cottonwood, and the surrounding areas.