From narrowing down the choices to changing your mind, read our guide to help you decide. From the moment of their positive pregnancy test, many expectant mums are happy to plump for the nearest maternity hospital.
Other mums might have a choice of hospitals close to them, or perhaps prefer one slightly further afield. You can talk to your GP about it if you need to make your choice before your booking appointment.
You might get your booking appointment at your chosen hospital. You could also ask them about their experience during and after giving birth there. You can do research online by looking at the Which?
Birth Choice regional guide to labour wards and birth centres. They even have a handy comparison tool to help you compare maternity services in your area. Choosing the nearest maternity hospital certainly has many advantages.
For example you might want to use a birth pool. You can use the Which? Birth Choice regional guide to labour wards and birth centres to find out about tours and contact information for booking.
You might need to find out whether there are restrictions on who can be with you during and after the birth. Finding out about what kind of pain relief is available and what their labour induction policies are is a good idea too.
Equally, you might need help making up formula and giving it to your baby if you decide to formula feed. Sometimes it might be easier to book directly yourself.
Visit the Which? Page last reviewed: 8 April Next review due: 8 April Where to give birth: the options. Choosing your birth location You can give birth at home, in a unit run by midwives a midwifery unit or birth centre or in hospital.
Find out what's in your area Your midwife will discuss the options available in your area but, if you're willing to travel, you're free to choose any maternity services. As well as from your midwife, you can get information from: children's centres your GP surgery local maternity units — find maternity services near you Maternity Voices Partnerships MVPs — ask at your local hospital's maternity unit You may also want to get advice from your friends and family.
Home birth If you have a straightforward pregnancy, and both you and the baby are well, you might choose to give birth at home. Giving birth is generally safe wherever you choose to have your baby. Advantages of home birth The advantages of giving birth at home include: being in familiar surroundings, where you may feel more relaxed and better able to cope not having to interrupt your labour to go into hospital not needing to leave your other children, if you have any not having to be separated from your partner after the birth increased likelihood of being looked after by a midwife you have got to know during your pregnancy lower likelihood of having an intervention, such as forceps or ventouse , than giving birth in hospital Considerations There are some things you should think about if you're considering a home birth.
You may need to transfer to a hospital if there are complications. Planning a home birth Ask your midwife whether a home birth is suitable for you and your baby. Here are some questions you might want to ask: how long would it take if I needed to be transferred to hospital? Midwifery units or birth centres Midwifery units or birth centres are more comfortable and homely than a maternity unit in a hospital. They can be: part of a hospital maternity unit, where pregnancy obstetric , newborn neonatal and anaesthetic care is available separate from a hospital, and without immediate obstetric, neonatal or anaesthetic care Advantages of a midwifery unit or birth centre The advantages of giving birth at a midwifery unit include: being in surroundings where you may feel more relaxed and better able to cope with labour being more likely to be looked after by a midwife you have got to know during your pregnancy the unit potentially being much nearer your home lower likelihood of having an intervention such as forceps or ventouse than giving birth in hospital Considerations There are some things to think about if you're considering giving birth in a midwifery unit or birth centre.
Your doctor or midwife may feel it's safer for you to give birth in hospital Planning a birth in a midwifery unit or birth centre Ask your midwife if there are any midwifery units or birth centres in your area. Hospital birth Most births happen in an NHS hospital maternity unit.
Advantages of hospital birth The advantages of giving birth in hospital include: direct access to obstetricians if your labour becomes complicated direct access to anaesthetists, who give epidurals and general anaesthetics there will be specialists in newborn care neonatologists and a special care baby unit if there are any problems with your baby Considerations There are some things you should think about if you're considering a hospital birth: you may go home directly from the labour ward or you may be moved to a postnatal ward in hospital, you may be looked after by a different midwife from the one who looked after you during your pregnancy you're more likely to have an epidural, episiotomy , or a forceps or ventouse delivery in hospital Planning a hospital birth Your midwife can help you decide which hospital feels right for you.
Birth questions to ask Here are some questions you might want to ask if you're considering having your baby in a midwifery unit or birth centre, or in hospital: Are tours of the maternity facilities available before the birth? When can I discuss my birth plan? What equipment is available — for example mats, a birthing chair or bean bags? Are there birthing pools? Are fathers, close relatives or friends welcome in the delivery room? Are they ever asked to leave the room — if so, why?
Can I move around in labour and find my own position for the birth? What is the policy on induction , pain relief and routine monitoring? Are epidurals available? How soon can I go home after the birth? What services are provided for premature or sick babies? Who will help me if I choose to formula feed? Will my baby be with me all the time or is there a separate nursery?
The goal is to provide a calm and soothing environment, so things can run their course naturally. As for your care team, a midwife will likely lead your care — from prenatal check-ups to delivery to postpartum.
Midwives are highly-trained and experienced medical professionals, and pregnancy care is a core specialty. Each are very experienced in midwifery, but hold different levels of certifications and credentials.
So, for peace of mind, take the time to do your research. While you may choose not to use any medications, freestanding birth centers can offer pain management options like nitrous oxide, massage therapy and some other medications — but not epidurals. A few decades ago, they may have been right. But today, many hospitals are working hard to provide a place where moms can guide their own experience.
For starters, luxurious private birthing suites are becoming the standard. Hospital birth center rooms — like those at HealthPartners facilities — are designed to safely and easily provide the best medical care. So, you will notice more equipment than at a freestanding birth center room. When it comes to amenities, hospital birth centers offer many of the same creature comforts as a standalone birthing center, including: WiFi, TVs, comfortable pull-out couches for partners, and more.
Choosing a hospital birth center can also give you peace of mind in knowing that all your potential care needs can be met, before, during and after you deliver your baby. Do you want to have a medication-free child birth but still have access to medications in case you need them?
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