The scene of a women in labor being rushed to the hospital to be saved is seen repeatedly on television and in films. This has scared women into thinking that their only option to have a safe and successful birth is in the hospital. This is not true, in fact giving birth in the hospital is the most unnatural type of birth and the United States is the only developed nation to primarily use hospitals for birth. In America, 99% of births are in the hospital and the C-Section is the most common surgery operated on women, even though majority are not necessary for a healthy birth. The United States also has the second worst newborn death rate in developed nations. ALL other developed world nations have 70-80% of births at home with midwives. They also have lower newborn death rates. The medical world has tricked us into thinking that we (women) cannot give birth on our own. It is a skill that we have been practicing since the begininng, even before doctors and hospitals. Giving birth is a natural process, yet our society has medicalized it and treated it as an illness and disease. Because the hospital is all that we know in this nation, most women do not know or realize that they do have other choices. If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or want to have children in the future, please research your birthing options. Understand that you have the right to choose the type of birth that is best for you and your body.

Birth Options and Descriptions:

Hospitals

Almost 100 % of all American births are in a hospital. Some hospitals offer birthing rooms (more like bedrooms than delivery rooms) where you can stay during labor and recovery. Some hospitals even have a section of the hospital that was created specifically for birth and are often called birthing centers or baby centers. The most common hospitals to find these at are Baby-Friendly Hospitals (see my hub about breastfeeding for more info).

Birthing Centers

A birthing center or centre is a healthcare facility, staffed by nurse-midwives, midwives and/or obstericians, for mothers in labor, who may be assisted by doulas and coaches. A birth center presents a more home-like environment than a hospital labor ward, typically with more options during labor: food/drink, music, and the attendance of family and friends if desired.

Home Births

Home birth is childbirth that occurs outside a hospital or birthing center setting, usually in the home of the mother. Home births are usually attended by a midwife (or other attending medical professional) but there are some occasions when this does not happen. If labor progresses rapidly the midwife may not have arrived in time to catch the baby, but would then give immediate postnatal care. In rare cases the decision may be made to give birth without any medical professional present - this is sometimes known as an "unassisted home birth."

Water Births

Water birth is a method of giving birth, which involves immersion in warm water. Proponents believe this method to be safe and provides many benefits for both mother and infant, including pain relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby.

What is a Midwife?

Midwifery is a health care profession where providers give prenatal care to expecting mothers, attend the birth of the infant, and provide postpartum care to the mother and her infant. Midwives are autonomous practitioners who are specialists in normal pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum. They generally strive to help women have a healthy pregnancy and natural birth experience.

What is an Obstectrician?

Obstectricians are specialists in illness related to childbearing and in surgery. The two professions can be complementary, but often are at odds because obstetricians are taught to "actively manage" labor, while midwives are taught not to intervene unless necessary

What is a Doula?

A doula is a non-medical assistant who provides various forms of non-medical support (physical, emotional and informed choice) in the childbirth process.