There are so many choices when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting. It is almost overwhelming for most first time parents, not just mothers. I can certainly say all the baby stuff we had with my first my husband was completely overwhelmed, and sometimes had no idea what some of the baby flair was for, or what half of it even did.
One of the biggest choices you will make happens before your baby is even born, but will impact the way that they are born, and that is where you choose to deliver your baby, and that is what I will talk about today. There are several options for delivering your baby.
Some more popular than others, and some even unknown.
Hospital Birth
Birthing in the hospital is really the choice that most people make, because of course, that is what most people do and in many cases Moms do not know they have any other choices regarding their birth place.
Hospitals in a sense offer a “one size fits all” birth for most people. Their policies, and protocols really dictate the options you have, and the choices that you will be able to make. If you want to make an alternative choice, you can prepare to bump heads with the staff in most cases. There are some awesome hospitals out there, especially here in Connecticut that are not as difficult to deal with, but make sure you are educated about the hospital and their policies before you step foot in to give birth.
Ask around, ask other mothers about their experiences, ask the staff about your provider and their experience with them.
Investigate to ensure your experience is what you want it to be.
Many women have the need for hospital care because of high risk pregnancies, pre term babies, or other various medical needs, and for their care, the hospital is the best option.
Freestanding Birth Center
What a freestanding birth center is, really, is a home like environment with medical professionals (midwives) and medical equipment (to an extent) designed to handle natural births. If you are interested in having an epidural, or pain relief provided by medication, then a free standing birth center probably isn’t for you. The rooms tend to look like bedrooms with glorious giant tubs for birth, and showers that can be used to help provide pain relief during labor.
This is a great alternative to a home birth if you are not comfortable with that option.
Connecticut currently only has ONE freestanding birth center, which is located in Danbury. The Connecticut Childbirth Center.
Homebirth
Most people are unaware, but home birth is a valid and legal option here in the state of Connecticut. In late 2009 I wrote an interview with a local Connecticut homebirth midwife by the name of Nancy Farr. In recent studies, home birth is shown to be just as safe as a hospital birth with a trained medical professional in low risk mothers. Which is often a concern to mothers or parents.
All options depend on what the mother would like, or envision for her experience bringing her child into the world. If you feel as though birth is not an emergency or medial event, home birth or a freestanding birth center may be the best option for you. If you would like medical interventions, medications, and the overall hospital experience, then clearly a hospital birth may be the best option for you.
