Where Should I Give Birth? Exploring the Options

Giving birth during a pandemic can make such an exciting time feel scary and even uncertain. Due to current support person restrictions, mask requirements, etc., many are questioning their choice to birth in a hospital. Fortunately, you have a few other alternatives to consider! I have created this list of birthing locations to help you weigh your options and make a safe, informed, and empowered decision.

The Hospital

Hospital births comprise around 99% of all births in the United States, according to the CDC. When birthing in-hospital, the care is standardized rather than individualized due to institutionalized policies. Emergency care is readily available, and you have more options for pharmacological pain relief methods (i.e. an epidural). Hospitals very rarely provide thorough one-on-one care, since there are other patients needing to be cared for simultaneously. Hospital births may be the best option for those who have heart or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or previous birth complications. As opposed to a birth center, you will have a longer postpartum stay in a hospital. If you choose to birth in a hospital but are still weary, a doula can help you labor at home to minimize the time spent there.

A Birth Center

Birth centers are an amazing option for those with relatively low-risk pregnancies. They are free-standing health care clinics run by midwives, midwife assistants, and doulas. They provide care based on the midwifery model of care; which emphasizes holistic, individualized care tailored to each birthing person. Pharmacological pain methods are limited at birth centers so you would not be able to have an epidural, for example. Nevertheless, the staff at birth centers encourage other pain relief methods and support you extensively emotionally and physically through the entire process. Birth centers are also fully equipped with medical supplies, certain medications, and can deal with many urgencies. In the event of a more serious complication, birth centers will transfer you to the nearest hospital in a timely manner.

Great birth centers in and around the Bay Area:

San Francisco Birth Center

Pacifica Family Maternity Center

Nightingale Birth Center

Santa Rosa Birth Center

At Home

Like birth centers, home births are only recommended for low-risk pregnancies. Although supported by many doulas and midwives, home birth remains a controversial choice in the United States. Still, many people desire to give birth in the comfort of their own homes. You can set up your environment, move freely throughout your home, use your bathtub, or rent a water birth tub. For a safe and supported home birth, look into getting a homebirth midwife as well as a doula; especially if this is your first birth or if you have had previous birth complications. Your homebirth midwife will bring lots of supplies and see you through the whole process. Although rare, complications do happen and it is important to ensure your provider is knowledgeable and able to transfer you to a hospital if need be. Here is a great document full of questions to ask your home birth provider.

The bottom line...

Close your eyes and picture your ideal birth. Where are you? What does the environment feel like? Who is there? These are all questions that can help you make the best decision for you! Talk through your options with your provider. In the end, mama, this is your birth and your decision to make.

* The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recognizes that the safest places to give birth are hospitals and accredited birth centers.