Hellobee Boards

@Snowdrop: you are in England, right? Our options here in the US are similar but different, so hopefully UK bees can home in. I didn't really consider a home birth at all, but chose a birth center within a hospital, with a midwife practice. Very happy with my experience, but the hospital did have only private delivery and recovery rooms, which was important to me.

I think it's great that you are starting to think about this early. That will give you plenty of time to weigh the pros and cons of each option and come to a well thought out, well researched decision!

I had the same 3 options because I really wanted to see a MW for my prenatal care and L&D. Unfortunately, this is not as common in the US, but we are getting better!

I ultimately delivered in a hospital with a hospital-based MW practice. Neither my husband or I felt comfortable with a home birth, and we chose the hospital-based practice because I wanted access to all the great hospital ultrasound and testing equipment. Ultimately, I am glad I was in a hospital because I had some postpartum complications that were scary, but a non-issue in a hospital. I would have been fine in a birth center (birth center MWs have access to all types of equipment and medicines), but I would have had to transfer to the hospital postpartum for my blood transfusion. Overall, it was just easier to be in one place.

BUT, given all your options, it seems like a birth center might be a really good middle ground option? BCs have direct-line access to hospitals and OBs, so you could probably transfer more quickly and easily from a BC than from home if you needed to (which you likely won't). Plus, a BC is already equipped with tubs and birthing supplies. To me, having to equip my home would be a hassle that probably wouldn't be worth it to have a home birth. BCs also usually let you go home soon after the birth, which is kind of a plus in my book... I hated having to be in the hospital for 48 hours after delivery.