This is what I want you to know. I don’t care what type of birth you have or where you do it as long as you feel safe and heard. I want you to walk into your birthing place feeling confidant, heard, supported and that you are going to receive the care you deserve and want. Period. I’m not here to tell you where to birth, only to let you know some of the differences. I have attended all types of births, and EVERY single one has been different. The choice is yours.

One of things that I hear a lot from families is that when they tell their family and friends that they are birthing in a birth center they are met with concern. Birth Centers are amazing options! The environment alone feels as if it is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places to meet your baby. They are staffed with Midwives and those midwife teams have partnerships with specialists and OB/GYN’s and a perfectly safe option if your pregnancy is not complicated. Trust me when I say, that when they need to pull a partner, they do. When I say complicated I mean that you are not facing any serious medical concerns. Not everyone will have the option of birthing in a birth center. There is also a difference in a free standing birth center and a “birth center” attached to a hospital. They are not the same thing. A freestanding birth center is a birthing option for those that wish to have a non-medical, minimal intervention birth. Below are some things that you can expect.

Privacy. You are not connected to a lot of different machines, and you are allowed to labor with minimal interruption. You are encouraged to eat, drink, move and do what you need to do to move that baby down.
Environment. I tend to think of the accommodations as a bed and breakfast. The birthing rooms are comfy, perfectly lite, the tub is perfection, and should you desire a water birth this is the best place for that.
Timing: This is a birth center. Somewhere that you go to have your baby. You will typically arrive when you are in active labor (around 5-6 cm). You have the ability to labor in your own home until active labor when you head to your birth center. Most people love this. Studies show that when in labor people cope better when they are in their own environment and feel safe. You typically leave the birth center 4-6 hours after birthing your baby. There are less medical interventions so this allows you head home pending no complications sooner.
Insurance: Most birth centers will be out of pocket with the average cost ranging from $3000-$4000. I have found that some insurance cover some of theses fees, while you could have a greater out of pocket.
Families stay together: After you have your baby, you are given the privacy to bond and breastfeed. Known as the golden hour this is an amazing time. There really is nothing on earth like it.
If you are looking for a birth center, check the Commission for the Accredation of Birth Centers website (CABC).

A hospital birth is not a bad thing, and some people feel that they would be more comfortable there and that is perfectly fine, and sometimes necessary. I said it above and I will say it again. I just want you to feel safe, heard and comfortable, and if the hospital makes you feel that way, perfect. I am grateful for our hospitals. All three of my children were high risk pregnancies, so I had no choice but to birth in one, and that was the right choice for me. Below are some of the things to expect:

It looks just like you would think, a hospital room. I tell families to make yourself comfortable. Open drawers, see where things are. If they don’t want in something, trust me it will be locked. Think of it as a very expensive medicalized bed and breakfast. Get comfortable.
Timing: When your labor begins, you will likely call your provider at which point they typically will tell you to head in. You will be there until usually around 24-36 hours after your baby is born. Settle in.
This is typically a medicalized birth. What I mean by that is that there are also a lot of options in a hospital. You don’t have to use them all, however they are available. Expect things like IV bags, epidurals, things like that are available. As I mentioned earlier, some births NEED to be medicalized. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing. Safe mom and safe baby.
Insurance: Every carrier and provider is different. Please make sure you check on both.
Tour your choice. I know that with COVID you may not be able to do in person tours, however make a virtual appointment. I looked at several when I was going to have my children, and I can tell you this. There were some that I could tell within five minutes was not the right choice for me.

The above are just some of the high level things to look at. Just remember, this is very personal choice, and one that you don’t need to justify to friends and family. I always ask my clients, what does your gut say? Learn to listen to that voice. It is one of your greatest secret weapons. In raising my own children, I have been called to listen to it a lot, and I would say about 95% of the time, I have been right. You will be too.