Hospital? Home? Birth Center? Get the rundown on the pros and cons of each, and decide what’s right for you.
Women have babies safely in all kinds of settings. What turns out to be the right choice for one family may not be right for another. Which choice is the right one for you? Here are some of the main pros and cons for each setting to help you decide.
Keep in mind that each hospital, birth center, doctor, and midwife will have different practices and approaches. To find out what the usual practice is, and what your options are, at the place of birth you’re considering, ask! See our pages on choosing a caregiver and questions to ask your caregiver. Your doula can help you with all of this!
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Hospital Positive |
Hospital Negative |
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Immediate access to medical care for mother and baby in case of emergency Immediate access to drugs for pain relief The mother may feel safer in a hospital Costs most likely to be covered by insurance |
More likely to have routine interventions during labor and birth Increased risk of mother or baby picking up an infection The mother may feel anxious in a hospital environment |
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Birth Center Positive |
Birth Center Negative |
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May be closely affiliated with a hospital that can offer very fast access to medical care for mother and baby in case of emergency (this varies) Easy access to drugs for pain relief May have a more “homey,” less clinical atmosphere than a hospital The mother may feel safer at a birth center |
Some birth centers may not offer access to all forms of medical pain relief Some birth centers may have high rates of routine intervention, similar to many hospitals May not be appropriate for high-risk conditions Costs may not be covered by insurance |
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Home Positive |
Home Negative |
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Medically proven to be as safe or safer than birth in hospital, for most women The mother is familiar with her environment and has complete privacy and control The mother may feel safer at home No need to travel in labor or after the birth Lowest risk of infection Lowest risk of routine interventions |
Birth attendants have to travel to you Limited access to drugs for labor Mother or other family members may feel anxious about home birth May not be appropriate for high-risk conditions Mother must travel in the event of serious complications Costs may not be covered by insurance |