Hospital Birth

Majority of the birth in the U.S. happens in the hospital. Some of you choose the hospital bith because that is the only place your insurance covers, but wantｓto make the experience as close to that of home birth. Others would choose the hospital birth because of the high risk nature of their pregnancy. Some of you may choose the hospital because of the anesthesia availability. Certified Nurse-Midwives can make your hospital birth experience special with individualized attention to your desires and needs.

Advantages of hospital birth:

• System is in place for the team approach with nurses, Midwives, Obstetricians, Anesthesiologist, Neonatologist, Lactation Consultant, Social Worker, and other support staff.
• Best equipped to deal with complications of pregnancy, birth and the newborn.
• It is the only birth site option if Cesarean Delivery is necessary.
• You do not need to be transfered to different facility or to different caregiver in case of emergency or in need of anesthesia.
   

Disadvantages of hospital birth:

• The parents are not on "home ground" and do not have the same control they would at home. As a large institution, the hospital has rules, policies and tend to be less flexible than birth centers or home birth.
• Hospitals are primarily associated with illness, and hospitals can seem impersonal and intimidating.
• Although rare, the risk of iatrogenic complications and infection to the mother and baby is greater among mothers who deliver in hospitals than among those who give birth at home or in a birthing center.
• Hospitals in general tend to have higher rate of cesarean section.