Birthing Centers: Pros and Cons
A birthing center is a compromise between a home birth and a hospital birth. The facility’s homey, comfortable setting has elements of both and can make all the difference in a woman’s choice of where to give birth. Most birthing centers are free-standing, meaning they are not attached to a hospital. Some birthing centers are affiliated with a hospital and attached thereto.”
Birthing centers are in general more open to such natural birth techniques as hypnosis for birth like Hypno-Baby.
“There are many advantages to giving birth in a birthing center, but there are also some disadvantages. Pros: * A home-like setting offers many women security and enables them to relax. * A birthing center gives the mother control of her birth; she can decide who comes and goes in her room, and who may be present for the birth.”
“* Midwives are trained professionals who know how to recognize true labor and how to handle typical birth issues. * The laboring mother can eat, drink, use the toilet, etc. whenever she wants. * She will not have to worry about cleaning up her house after the birth. * A midwife will be available on-demand for answering questions and talking through options.”
“* Interventions — the interventions that midwives perform are interventions that most mothers can handle, and they don’t require intrusive medical procedures to be performed.
* Midwives are trained professionals whose job is to deal with typical birth issues — many women don’t need any medical assistance during birth.
* The laboring mother can eat, drink, use the toilet, etc.”
“* Interventions are rare, reducing stress and alleviating fears of unwanted procedures. * Midwives are trained professionals who know how to recognize a true emergency, and how to handle typical birth issues. * The labored mother can eat, drink, use the toilet, etc. whenever she wants. * The mother will not have to worry about cleaning up after the birth.”
“Midwives help alleviate fears of unwanted procedures, enabling a calm and natural delivery. Midwives will recognize a true emergency and know how to handle typical birth issues. You can eat, drink, use the toilet, etc. whenever you want. This will not only keep you comfortable, but also helps prevent any messes. And you won’t have to worry about cleaning up your house after the birth.”
“Cons * If an emergency situation arises, the mother will have to be transported to the hospital. * An obstetrician or a midwife is not usually present in the facility, which means that if a woman needs pain medication or an epidural, she will also have to be transported. * Most birth centers ask that a mother leave the facility shortly after giving birth.”
“Cons * There is no doctor present, so if a surgeon or an obstetrician is needed, the mother will need to be transported.
* If the laboring woman decides she needs pain medication or an epidural, she will have to be transported.
* Most birth centers ask that a mother leave the facility early.”
“** For first-time mothers, there are not any doctors present, so in case of emergency or a complicated situation, the mother will have to be transported. * Most birthing centers work with an OB, but oftentimes he or she is out of the facility. * If the mother needs pain medication or an epidural, she will need to be transported. * Women who give birth at a birthing center typically leave early.”
“Because birthing centers have midwives and nurses onsite 24 hours a day, you won’t need to hire a doula, which can save you a lot of money. You will also be able to give birth with hypnosis if you want to.
“It’s also worth noting that, depending on the individual, some of the pros may be cons and vice versa! For example, you might consider being able to leave the facility shortly after birth a real asset; another woman may think that’s a real drawback.”
“According to the American Pregnancy Association, birthing centers may be staffed by certified nurse-midwives, certified midwives, or family physicians.”
“Childbirth is a very personal experience and everyone has a different opinion about what is best and most comfortable for them. It’s important to remember that because of this, there is no right or wrong way to give birth. You should do what is best for you and your baby, and that may mean choosing the hospital or perhaps a birthing center.”
“There are some things to consider when choosing a birthing center, however. Depending on the individual, some of the pros may be cons and vice versa! For example, you might consider being able to leave the facility shortly after birth a real asset; another woman may think that’s a real drawback.”
“Indicated by the word “center” in their name, birthing centers are facilities where women give birth with the assistance of midwives. They are often located in private homes, but there are some birthing centers that are housed in large facilities.”
“The biggest advantage of birthing centers is the ability to deliver in a homey environment with the support of midwives, doulas, and family members, but without the need for an IV, continuous electronic monitoring, and other bells and whistles of a hospital.”
“The pros and cons of birthing centers vary from woman to woman. Many women choose to give birth in birthing centers because they offer the comforts of home while providing the skill of midwives.
“Many birthing centers are equipped with home-like amenities, such as birthing tubs, showers, kitchens, and living rooms. At the same time, birthing centers offer the professional staff of midwives, OB/GYNs, and nurses who can provide medical care and monitor your baby’s vital signs.”
“Hiring a doula is a great way to ensure that you have plenty of support during labor and delivery. Doulas offer emotional support, physical support like massaging your back or providing counter pressure to your hips, and emotional support.”
“While many women may want to have a natural birth, birthing centers offer many other options, such as epidurals and Cesarean sections. It is important to remember, however, that birthing centers are not hospitals. The centers are staffed with midwives, not doctors.”
“I’m really grateful that I was able to have my baby at a birth center. For me, it offered the best of both worlds: the comfort of a home-like experience but with the support of trained midwives and doctors.”
“Both home birth and birthing centers are options to consider. Home birth is without question the most common choice in the US, with about 1% of births taking place in a birthing center. Research has shown that both styles of birth are safe as long as the mother is healthy and the pregnancy is uncomplicated.”
“As an added bonus, many birthing centers offer more flexibility than hospitals. You may be able to stay in the facility for a short time after the birth, and you may not have to be there as long as a typical hospital stay.”
“* Women are free to come and go as they please during labor and birth. * The hospital is staffed by midwives who are highly trained in the latest techniques to ensure a safe birth. * Most birthing centers also have a 24-hour emergency room close by in case there are any complications.”
“Midwives and obstetricians are a woman’s best advocates during prenatal care, labor, and delivery. Midwives help new mothers avoid interventions that may not be necessary for uncomplicated birth. Midwives are specially trained to recognize an emergency situation and to know how to handle typical birth issues. A woman can eat, drink, or use the bathroom whenever she wants. A woman will not have to worry about cleaning up her house after the birth.”
“Several positives and negatives exist for a woman choosing to give birth in a natural birthing center. Some of these include:
Pros
* A home-like setting offers many women security and enables them to relax. * A birthing center gives the mother control of her birth; she can decide who comes and goes in her room, and who may be present for the birth.”
“The Pros and Cons of Birthing Centers A birthing center can be thought of as a compromise between a home birth and a hospital birth. It has elements of both. Most birthing centers are “free-standing,” which simply means they are not attached to a hospital. Some birthing centers are affiliated with a hospital and attached thereto.”
“Cons * If a woman is in need of medicine or an epidural, it will be necessary for her to be transported. (Most birthing centers do work in conjunction with a physician, but it’s not a permanent fixture on the premises.) * If the mother needs to leave the facility early, she will have to be transported. (Most birthing centers ask that a mother leaves the facility within 24 hours of givingbirth .”
