Place of Birth - Home, Hospital or Birth Centre
Choosing where to have your baby is a personal choice. Knowing all the relevant facts can help you make an informed decision.
Compared to going to hospital, women planning a home birth are less likely to use drugs for pain relief. They are less likely to have an assisted delivery or Caesarean, even if they transfer to hospital during labour. They are also more likely to use upright positions for giving birth.
Compared to going to hospital, women giving birth in a birth centre are less likely to use drugs for pain relief. They are less likely to have their labour speeded up artificially. They are also likely to be more satisfied with the care they receive.
The research evidence indicates that for healthy women who have had a normal pregnancy (including first time mothers), a planned home birth attended by an experienced caregiver is as safe as giving birth in hospital.
For some women, home birth will not be an option. For example, this will be the case if a Caesarean delivery is necessary.
For other women there is some question over the safety of home birth. This includes women who have a breech baby or are having twins. If a woman such as this intends to give birth at home, it is vital that she is attended by a midwife who is highly skilled. She may be strongly advised to give birth in hospital.
[This research summary includes information from the following leaflet produced by MIDIRS:
Informed Choice for Women No.10 - Where will you have your baby - hospital or home?
For details on how to purchase the Informed Choice leaflets go to the Informed Choice website. For copies of the leaflet phone MIDIRS on 0800 581009]
For more detailed research evidence, click here
Or click to carry on thinking about your hopes for the birth.