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Can't decide between a home or hospital birth? We unpack the pros and cons of each.
Home birth
More and more women are opting for home births assisted by midwives. What are the advantages of having a home birth?
- The mother may feel more in control as she is in her own environment.
- Privacy.
- She will be assisted by the midwife of her choice.
- It's cost-effective.
- More relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
- No unnecessary intervention.
- Use of natural ways of relieving pain.
- She can have as many people present as she wishes to.
- Never being separated from the baby.
- Less distraction.
- Avoiding an episiotomy.
- Birth is seen as a natural process rather than a “medical” event.
- Older children don’t have to deal with the absence of their parents.
Make sure that you're assisted by an experienced, qualified nurse/midwife or by a qualified physician. In case of a medical emergency, you should be within 20 minutes of the nearest hospital.
According to gynaecologist Dr Martin Puzey, a woman should be cleared as being a low-risk case for home birth by her gynaecologist. If you're high-risk, explore your options, he advises.
Hospital birth
You may want to consider the following advantages of a hospital birth:
- Baby can be delivered by obstetrician.
- Different pain relief options available.
- Well equipped in case of emergency.
- Breastfeeding clinics or lactation consultants are available at most hospitals.
