Should I have a Hospital Birth or a Home Birth?

Pros and Cons of each

I genuinely believe you can have an amazing birth whether you are giving birth in a hospital or in the comfort of your own home. There are pros and cons to both for sure. Sometimes pro and con lists can feel very biased one way or the other (because people are generally very passionate about whichever style they chose.) I had a hospital birth for my first, however am genuinely considering both options for future births. So I’m making this list as unbiased as possible because I want to truly consider both options.

Whether you’ve never given birth before, or already have and are still planning to have more babies, I wrote this list for you! 

Hospital Birth

Pros

• If anything goes wrong, you’re in a hospital. This is very reassuring. To know that if there are complications, you have everything you could possibly need at your fingertips. This is my husband’s biggest reason for wanting me in the hospital. (When I gave birth to my son, Miles, I passed out 3 times after he was born. They wanted me to get up to go to the bathroom and every time I just wasn’t ready. So Nick was thankful to have the support/fluids/medical staff readily available. (Not to say a midwife couldn’t have supported me, I’m sure she would have. And honestly might not have had me get up to go to the bathroom in the first place which would have avoided everything. Just some food for thought.) See my full birth story here if you’re curious.
• Your nurse and Doctor have birthed 100s of babies, so they’ve pretty much seen it all. In a hospital, they are literally doing this every day so it feels pretty routine to them, even if it is your first. I do love the experience.
• Peace of mind for you, your husband, and your family. Mental game is huge. If you feel the most safe in the hospital, choose the hospital! If your husband feels like you will be the safest in the hospital, I would definitely value his opinion. If he is stressed out at your birth, that will not help you relax. You do the research though, and present the facts to him. Ultimately, wherever you feel your body will be able to fully relax the most is where you should give birth. 
• Supplies – The hospital sends you home with EVERYTHING – pads, peri bottle, diapers (for you and baby), baby blanket, baby clothes – hat, onesie, booties, medicine if needed. Definitely not organic/the highest quality, but it works. Especially while you’re just trying to survive those first few days, they are very helpful. The ice packs they sent home with me were a true lifesaver. 
• Hospital staff will watch your baby overnight for you in the baby nursery so you and your husband can sleep if you want. IF you want. There is no pressure. Me and my husband opted out of this because we were soaking in the precious baby snuggles. But it’s nice to know it’s an option, especially if you haven’t slept in a couple of days!

Cons

• To start, deciding when you should leave your house and actually head to the hospital is hard. You don’t want to get there too early because they’ll send you home. But you also don’t want to have the baby in the car. And especially for your first, you really have no idea what the ideal time is. So it can definitely add a little stress to your labor process (which can slow down labor and is never ideal).
• The actual drive to the hospital. Contractions in the car are no fun. I don’t care what people say. You can totally do it. But sitting during a contraction was definitely not possible for me lol. (I rode backwards in the front seat hugging the head rest lol).
• Hospital staff is not usually natural minded, so you have to know what you want and probably fight for it. Their go to is generally medical intervention. If you’re wanting a natural birth this definitely isn’t ideal. HOWEVER, you’re the boss. And you can say no. It’s just harder when a medical professional is suggesting you do something. You’re in such a vulnerable space – mentally and physically (in pain and prob naked), so you won’t be feeling 100% yourself. I recommend having a support person – husband, doula, mom, etc. who knows your birth plan and everything you want so they can advocate for you during labor and delivery!
• Unwanted middle of the night check ups. The hospital has requirements and standards they have to uphold, which means interrupting your precious sleep to take vitals of you and the baby. Also those unpleasant fundal massages. They say it’s all in your best interest, which maybe it is. But it’s definitely not fun. 

Home birth

Pros

• Comfort – You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home! You can literally give birth in your bed and that’s just so comfy (a little messy, but comfy). There’s nothing like being in your own space with your own pillow and blankets. It definitely seems like the optimal space to allow your body to fully relax. Which is KEY in progressing your labor and delivery.
• Intimate – Your home is YOUR space. And you are in charge of who comes into it. There won’t be a lot of hustle and bustling nurses in and out of your room. It will pretty much be you, your husband, your midwife, and only additional people you request. 
• Bonding – In the home setting, you’ll definitely be relying on your husband! He will be there with you prepping the space, helping you labor, taking care of you right after the baby is here, etc. etc. He’ll be very needed and you guys will definitely have to be in sync to have a successful home birth. Especially if your midwife isn’t there right away, it will be all him! My sister had a home birth and she said she felt especially bonded to her husband after going through the experience together.
  • I also will say, I had a hospital birth and my husband was my advocate there and literally by my side the entire time – encouraging me, bringing me things, communicating for me. Needless to say we were extremely bonded after the birth of our son. So bonding will likely happen whether you have a home birth or a hospital birth! 
• Peaceful and natural – You won’t have to worry about people trying to intervene with medicine or unnatural labor progression. The midwife will really let you do your thing until you need her.
• Supplies – Most things that could go wrong, your midwife will be able to help with! Hemmorage (they have extra blood with them at birth), pain (natural movement), variations in fetal positioning/shoulder dystocia (they can often help move the baby), retained placenta, umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, prolonged labor. They are trained in all of these things and will likely be able to resolve the issue. (Hearthandhomemidwifery.com).

Cons

• Emergency situations – This is my biggest con. If something goes wrong and you need an emergency C-section or anesthesia or forceps, the midwife will not be able to accommodate, so you’ll have to transfer to the hospital. Which obviously makes a serious situation even scarier. 
• No epidural for you. The epidural is not available at a home birth, even if you change your mind and want one! Which honestly could be seen as a pro – if you really don’t want an epidural, you for sure won’t get one lol. If you aren’t able to relax through contractions though, the epidural is a nice back up plan that will force your body to relax so your labor can progress.
• Partner – If you don’t have a supportive husband, a home birth will definitely be a challenge! They will play a huge role in birth – physical things like prepping your space and bringing you things after babe is here, but also their attitude and support throughout the process. If they’re stressed, that will definitely affect you.
• Everyone is going to question you. You’ll probably be defending your birth plan until babe is here and honestly even after. But people will always have opinions, you have to do what’s best for YOU.

There you have it. My pros and cons list for home birth vs. hospital birth. This list has honestly been helpful for me too. My encouragement to you is to focus on each point and how much you value that point. Some of the points have much more weight in my head than others (ie. what my husband wants). Also don’t be afraid to add your own pros or cons and take away any that feel irrelevant to you! Make it your own. Ultimately, you want to feel safe and relaxed in whatever atmosphere you choose. 

My last tip – pray about it. My friend had 2 hospital births and felt like the Lord was calling her to a home birth (which she had never wanted or considered) for her 3rd and it was an amazing experience for her!! So pray! God cares about YOU and wants the best for you. He’ll give you peace one way or the other. 

Comment below all your thoughts on hospital birth vs. home birth!! Any pros or cons I missed? Can’t wait to hear from you!

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