As I write this, my midwife has already confirmed that I’m in the early stages of labor with my second child… so it’s especially on my mind how glad I am that I started with a birthing center instead of a hospital – even with my firstborn, who ended up being a hospital birth, after all.
When complications emerge (as they did with my firstborn), people are quick to wonder if I wish to have just gone to a hospital from the get go and have saved myself some hassle… but that isn’t the case at all.
If I were to make the “where to labor” decision with my firstborn all over again, even knowing it would end with a hospital, I would likely still choose a birthing center.
Why a Birthing Center?
Education
One big reason I would choose a birthing center (over and over) even with needing to be a transfer of care, is the education. This is especially important when it’s your first child (or your first experience with children) – it was both in my case.
The birthing center (in my state, at least) is required to educate expecting mothers – and it’s not only informative, but valuable information. Everything from caring for your child, to breastfeeding.
Everyone I’ve talked to that had a hospital birth not only left essentially uneducated (we were given a small education at the hospital due to our son being a NICU baby, but nothing on level with the birthing center classes, these were quick videos) but had no idea of the information I shared with them from our classes prior from the center.
Relationships
Beyond the education provided, the relationships that develop and are nurtured with the midwives and other staff are not only special, they can really be beneficial.
Just with one pregnancy, the staff at the birthing center felt like family and I knew that I would be continuing in their care with my second pregnancy.
Upon developing postpartum pre-eclampsia after my first pregnancy, it was a special friendship I had developed with one of the midwives that alerted me to the need to be seen at the hospital (I was admitted).
Relaxed Atmosphere
Having experienced both worlds (to a degree), the atmosphere at the birthing center is calm and relaxed, versus the hospital where staff *can* feel impatient and hurried.
I have had staff at BOTH places (the birthing center and the hospital) who were.. not the best, but overall, the staff at the birthing center win hands down for calmness and a relaxed attitude. Also, the center (in my experience) is more likely to accept your decisions, whereas the hospital might not even ask your opinion unless you force it on them.
Despite my prearranged decisions with my firstborn, I was given no say at the hospital in the vitamin K shot (I already had agreed with the birthing center, but many mothers wish to administer vitamin K drops instead) or the eye drops (just as examples). These may seem like minor decisions, but it’s still my child and I should still be given a choice.
Pain Relief
This is one major area where you might *not* want a birthing center, and that is perfectly okay. Birthing centers (in my state at least) do not offer an epidural.
Going into my first pregnancy with no desire for an epidural, this was okay by me… and I stuck with that decision even through being a transfer of care. Not everyone makes the same decision there, so definitely keep that as a major decision making component in mind… but if you are okay without having an epidural, then I would definitely vote for a birthing center.
The midwives I have encountered are well educated, equipped to handle nearly any low risk pregnancy (the only type of pregnancy they are authorized to deliver for), and you can really get to know them through the process. They won’t be pushing for an induction (since it’s out of their field) which *can* result in a C-section birth, and they will almost certainly lean towards natural methods of labor and deliver unless an intervention is necessary. Rest assured, though, they know when to call in help and will do so if needed (as in my first pregnancy).
Curious about the differences in packing and prep for a birthing center versus a hospital? I wrote a whole article about it based on my first birth experience that started at a birthing center and ended at a hospital for the labor and delivery.
Whenever reasonably possible, I plan to try for a birthing center birth. Have you delivered at a birthing center? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below.
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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