Overview

You have a choice of where to deliver your baby. Unless you have a high-risk pregnancy, you can decide to have your baby in a hospital, in a birthing centre, or at home. Each of these options has pros and cons. Talking to your healthcare provider about these options can help you make an informed decision about where to give birth. Things you may want to think about include:

• Who you want to deliver your baby.
• What pain-relief options you want.
• The cost and what your provincial or private health insurance will cover.

Hospital

Most medical doctors deliver only at hospitals. Midwives can also deliver babies in hospitals. Many hospitals offer special birthing rooms that are comfortable and homey.

One advantage of a hospital birth is quick access to specialist care and hosptial equipment if you need it. They are right there if you have problems with the birth. And a hospital offers a wide range of options for pain relief.

Different hospitals have different rules about who can be in the room during the birth. Most hospitals allow visitors during labour. But during the actual birth, the hospital may limit who can be in the room. These rules are to avoid overcrowding and reduce the risk of infection.

Birthing centre

A birthing centre is usually staffed by midwives. You can deliver in a birthing centre if you are under the care of a midwife.

A midwife can send you or your baby to a hospital if there is a problem during labour or delivery. Birthing centres are smaller and less formal than most hospitals. You may be allowed to have several people with you during the birth, including children and other family members.

Birthing centres are not recommended if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Access to specialists or hospital equipment would require transportation to a hospital setting and options for pain relief are limited.

Home

Midwives will deliver in a home setting. A home birth has advantages. You may feel more comfortable staying in your own home during labour. And you can choose who you want with you when you deliver.

If there are concerns or problems during labour and delivery, you and your baby may need to be transported to a hospital where you would have access to specialist care, equipment, and more options for pain relief. In the case of an emergency, a midwife would send you and your baby to a hospital in an ambulance. A home birth is not recommended if you have a high-risk pregnancy.