Advantages and Disadvantages of Birthing at Home, Birth Center, and Hospital

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Advantages of Home Birth . . .  

• Families assume a greater level of responsibility for their own health. This requires ongoing participation in decision-making, and a willingness to accept the consequences of those choices and decisions.
• A woman is in the privacy, comfort, and familiar surroundings of her own home, surrounded by loved ones. Laboring in whatever positions and attire she finds most comfortable. 
• It is easier for the woman and her partner to maintain control over things influencing the birth. Focus remains on the laboring woman and her consent for care. 
• During labor, the woman is encouraged to eat and drink. 
• The birth team is invited guests to the birthing woman's home. Her birth team does not go home because of shift end, or day off. She can have anyone she desires present. 
• Labor is hard work and women are supported to trust their body and ability to give birth. 
• Cesarean Section and forceps deliveries are unavailable except by transport.
• The rate of Cesarean and forceps deliveries is less than a hospital. 
• Completed homebirth costs less than a hospital birth. 

Disadvantages of Home Birth . . . 

• Families assume a greater level of responsibility for their own health. This requires ongoing participation in decision-making, and a willingness to accept the consequences of those choices and decisions. 
• The hospital is currently the socially acceptable location for birth. Choosing out of hospital birth may result in negative judgments and lack of support. 
• Cesarean sections, forceps deliveries and neonatologists are not available at home; transport is necessary for these services. 
• Personal arrangements must be made for postpartum care attendance beyond the time the birth team is present. This would include things such as meals, housekeeping, or childcare. 
• The cost of a home birth may not be covered by the woman's insurance. 
• Epidurals and nitrous oxide are not available at home. 

Advantages of a Birth Center Birth . . . 

• Families assume a greater level of responsibility for their own health. This requires ongoing participation in decision-making, and a willingness to accept the consequences of those choices and decisions. 
• An alternative for parents uncomfortable with home birth yet wishes to avoid a hospital. 
• Parents are encouraged to bring family members to their prenatal visits. 
• It offers personalized care at lower costs than hospitals and clinics. 
• Parents can meet the entire staff prior to the birth. 
• The rate of Cesarean and forceps deliveries is less than a hospital. 
• The discharge time after birth is measured in hours, not days. 
• It is easier for the woman and her partner to maintain control over things influencing the birth. Focus remains on the laboring woman and her consent for care. 
• Labor may progress normally, with minimal interference or interventions. 
• During labor, the woman is encouraged to eat and drink. 
• Her birth team does not go home because of shift end, or day off. She can have anyone she desires present. 
• Her birth team gives continuous one-on-one care. Her care provider knows her well and she knows her care provider. They have established a trust relationship. 
• Labor is hard work and women are supported to trust their body and ability to give birth. 
• Bonding is enhanced through intimate touch early after the infant is born. The intimate touch can include anyone the woman chooses.
• Breast-feeding is facilitated because the mother and baby are not separated. 
• Cesarean Section and forceps deliveries are unavailable except by transport.
• The rate of Cesarean and forceps deliveries is less than a hospital. 
• Nitrous oxide is available for pain control if a woman desire it.

Disadvantages of a Birth Center Birth . . . 

• The mother must move to the birth center during labor, and labor away from home. 
• The mother cannot remain at the birth center for a two- or three-day rest; discharge is usually within four to 24 hours. 
• Families assume a greater level of responsibility for their own health. This requires ongoing participation in decision-making, and a willingness to accept the consequences of those choices and decisions. 
• The hospital is currently the socially acceptable location for birth. Choosing out of hospital birth may result in negative judgments and lack of support. 
• Cesarean sections, forceps deliveries and neonatologists are not available at the birth center, transport is necessary for these services. 
• Personal arrangements must be made for postpartum care beyond the time at the birth center. This would include things such as meals, housekeeping, or childcare. 
• The cost of a birth center birth may not be covered by the woman's insurance. 
• Epidurals are not available at a birth center birth. 

Advantages of a Hospital Birth . . .

• Some mothers feel safest laboring at a hospital.
• It is as safe as home birth for low-risk women. 
• It is the safest environment for the mother that is at risk for medical complications during labor. 
• More emergency personnel and equipment are available if the mother develops complications or needs medical attention. 
• It avoids the rush of a last-minute transfer to the hospital if medical problems arise. 
• It is the only option available in the event a cesarean section is necessary. 
• It has round-the-clock help for the mother and baby for the first one to three days following birth. 

Disadvantages of a Hospital Birth . . . 

• It is not the family home. There is not as much personal control of environment. 
• The hospital is a large institution. Large institutions require policies and procedures that are difficult to adapt to the individual. 
• Less privacy is available. 
• The risk of iatrogenic complications and infection to the mother and baby is greater in the hospital, than among women who give birth at home or in a birth center. 
• The mother is at a significantly higher risk of having an unnecessary cesarean section. 
• Some routine separation of the mother and baby is almost unavoidable. 
• Most hospitals have frequent interruptions for hospital policy, procedure, and protocol. Before becoming a client of OakLeaf Birth Center (OLBC), we would like you to become familiar with your options and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Please read the following and feel free to ask any questions. 

Of note: OakLeaf Clinics OB/GYN does not offer home births.