Hi Mamas!
When it comes to picking the right birthing location for you and your partner, it may seem like an easy thing at first! Just like in the movies, you go to the hospital and bam, you have a baby!
But in real life, there are some really important things to consider for what you want for your ideal birth. Depending on if you desire the comfort of your own home, or a laid-back medical setting, or wanting all medical inventions accessible type of person. Whichever your choice may be, here at How 2 Mom we are here to support you every step of the way, judgment free!
We believe that it is extremely beneficial to know the differences and uniqueness that each birthing location may bring.
I do not care what kind of birth you have... a homebirth, scheduled cesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer. I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected.
-January Harshe
Hospital Birth
A Hospital Birth is sort of the “standard” birthing location, or at least the most popular currently here in the United States. You will either have an Obstetrician (OB) or Midwife deliver your baby, and that OB or Midwifery group will most likely be the one who is on call at the time you go into labor. Shift change can occur through your labor as well, so you could end up seeing two, or even three different OBs or Midwives, depending on how long your labor is. This will also be the case with your nurse interactions. Nurse shift changes also happen, usually every 8-12 hours, so be prepared to see lots of different faces!
At a hospital birth, you will go through a time in Triage upon arrival. A Triage room looks very similar to your doctor’s office where you have your prenatal visits. This is the stop BEFORE you are admitted to Labor and Delivery. You will be evaluated in this small room usually through a cervical exam to check dilation, monitor baby and contractions, and a long list of questions! Triage time can vary from 1-3 hours depending on how busy the floor is and your situation. After you have been admitted, you and your partner will be transferred to your labor and delivery room. When you initially get to your room, the nurse will most likely want to monitor your contractions and baby for a bit to get a good baseline. However, if you are low-risk and everything looks good, there is no reason, unless you prefer to have continuous monitoring. There is also the option of portable monitors so you can walk freely and away from the bed if continuous monitoring is needed or preferred on your behalf.
Once you are all hooked up, this is the time when you, your partner and your doula work together to ease those contractions. In a hospital setting, you have the option for both pain management (like shower, bath tub, birth ball and peanut ball) and pain relief (nitrous oxide, narcotics, epidural).
If induction is needed or if contractions aren’t effective, Pitocin may be administered by iv. Pitocin is the synthetic drug of Oxytocin that helps make those contractions come more frequently and increase in intensity.
In the event that there are some concerns about the baby and/or mom, a surgical birth may be necessary. After the baby is born you can always request tests or screenings be performed.
Some hospitals are getting better at respecting “The Golden Hour” after baby is born to help establish breastfeeding. You will be met with a nurse that can help you begin the breastfeeding process.
If you have a vaginal birth, you can expect your hospital stay to be 24-48 hours post-birth. depending on the day of the week you deliver and the time your baby is born. With a surgical birth, your hospital stay can range from 3-5 days.
If your baby needs some extra attention after birth, lots of local hospitals have NICU units available to help monitor your newborn. Hopefully your OB/Midwife will then check in with you 1-2 days after you have arrived home. A nurse will come visit your home to check on the baby’s weight and to see how you are doing postpartum. Another visit will be scheduled 6 weeks after the arrival of your baby. If you have a surgical birth, you will have a visit at 2 weeks postpartum to check your incision.
Birth Center
A Birth Center can have both the feel of the comfort of your home, as well as provide some hospital-like aspects. At a Birth Center there are many options. Your care is with a Midwife, there are usually a handful that you get to know through your pregnancy. When it comes to labor, the midwife will usually want you to labor at home for as long as you are comfortable. Once contractions increase in intensity, that is the time to go to the Birth Center. When you arrive, you will still be evaluated but by your contractions and maybe a cervical exam. This is usually just your midwife taking note on how you are coping, getting your vitals and temperature. This is all done in the comfort of a birthing suite. Once “admitted” to the Birth Center you can get settled in.
You will work on comfort measures and positions with your partner and doula. The midwives will come in and out to check on your progress, or often they will even stay in the room. A nursing assistant will also be coming and going, taking your vitals. At a Birth Center you are not hooked up to a fetal heart tone machine, but rather your midwife will use a doppler to check baby’s tones. When it is time for pushing you have many options of where to push.
Amongst many things that separates a Birth Center from a Hospital is the opportunity for a water birth. This is where they fill up a nice sized tub inside the birthing suite. For pain relief, Nitrous Oxide is offered as well as sterile injections.
After the baby is born all assessments are done in the room with mom and partner. Discharge normally happens within 4-6 hour mark postpartum.
In the case of any emergency, Birth Centers work closely with local hospitals for transfers. Transfer rates are low at a Birth Center BUT they can still happen, or they can be requested for pain relief. In those cases, Birth Centers again work closely with local hospitals to help transfer your care in an emergency, due to pregnancy complications, or for pain relief.
After baby’s arrival, midwives will then come check on you within 2-3 days after birth. They will then see you at your 6 week postpartum check.
Every Birth Center has their own set of of qualifications, but more often than not, your pregnancy has to be considered low-risk.
Home Birth
A Home Birth is exactly that, in the comfort of your own home is where you give birth! You will work closely with your Home Birth Midwife to prepare for baby ‘s arrival. This usually includes setting up a birth tub, preparing your bed with extra sheets and a protective layer, and collecting necessary supplies for your birth team. Each Midwifery Group will give their client a detailed list of items that you will need before you hit 36 weeks in your pregnancy.
When you begin laboring, you will work closely with your midwife and be in continuous communication. The beginning of labor is usually just you, your partner and/or your doula. You will have zero interruptions while going through labor other than the occasional fetal heart rate check and vitals. In the comfort of your home you labor on your own terms.
As contractions ramp up, your midwife will arrive. She will help guide you into positions for labor and pushing methods, all within your comfortability.
Again, if anything were to happen in labor, Home Birth Midwives work closely with local hospitals for transfers. In some cases, your Home Birth Midwife can even stay with you once transferred.
As soon as baby has arrived you can begin your postpartum care in your own bed. While you are beginning your recovery in bed, your midwifery team will do all of baby’s assessments. Your midwifery team will be in constant contact with you all through your recovery period. You will see them a week after baby is born, compared to the 6 week wait at a traditional hospital.
We hope this blog post helps you understand the different locations available to you when planning the birth of your baby. Here at How 2 Mom we can help guide you to find the birth location that will support the type of birth that you desire and is the right fit for you and your family.
WHERE and HOW you birth your baby matters!
Love,
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