Birth Choices
Planning for your labour and birth can often feel daunting, especially if you are first time parents. Choosing where to give birth is one of the most important decisions that you make during pregnancy. There is no ideal time to decide where to give birth, and you can change your mind as your pregnancy progresses. Everyone has different thoughts on what their ideal birth environment should be like, so it can be a good idea to have a think about which aspects of birth are important to you. Our midwives and doctors will support you and your birthing partner to prepare for labour and the birth of your baby. Taking into account the wellbeing of you and your baby, they can talk through all the options available, enabling you to choose where to have your baby.
Wherever you choose - hospital, midwife-led unit or home - the place should feel right for you.
You can also look at the Which? Birth Choice website for more information.
Birth is generally very safe for healthy women and their babies. In the UK, midwives and doctors are trained to respond to birth emergencies and to ensure you have access to the right care. However, healthy women are much more likely to have interventions (such as caesarean or birth assisted by forceps or ventouse/vacuum) if they plan to give birth in obstetric units, compared to similar women who plan birth at home or in midwifery units . Intervention rates are lower for planned home and midwifery unit births, even if women are transferred into obstetric units during labour, so the increase is not because women can’t have interventions at home or in midwifery units. However, it is really important that you feel safe and supported in making the right choice for you and your family.
Wherever you choose - hospital, midwife-led unit or home - the place should feel right for you.
You can also look at the Which? Birth Choice website for more information.
Birth is generally very safe for healthy women and their babies. In the UK, midwives and doctors are trained to respond to birth emergencies and to ensure you have access to the right care. However, healthy women are much more likely to have interventions (such as caesarean or birth assisted by forceps or ventouse/vacuum) if they plan to give birth in obstetric units, compared to similar women who plan birth at home or in midwifery units . Intervention rates are lower for planned home and midwifery unit births, even if women are transferred into obstetric units during labour, so the increase is not because women can’t have interventions at home or in midwifery units. However, it is really important that you feel safe and supported in making the right choice for you and your family.
