If you opt for a hospital birth, you can choose between private, semi-private and public care. This depends on your financial circumstances and whether you have medical insurance or not.
Visit the hospital of your choice and check out its facilities. Consider things like private room, neonatal unit and facilities for partners on the labour / delivery ward.
Find out if the hospital has the same ‘ideals’ that you have about childbirth. Asking questions such as, do they break your waters or not and the use of episiotomies. Its also worth checking their policy and practices on foetal distress, high blood pressure etc.
No one hospital will provide everything as you would like it, so its best to take a balanced view and choose what feels right for you.
Consider a home birth as an alternative to hospital. Home birth is not for everyone and neither is a hospital birth.
If you find you are even vaguely curious about home birth, I would encourage you to check it out fully. You may be surprised how easy and stress free it is.
Talk to a home birth midwife. They are exceptionally special people, who will answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. You will know immediately if this is the right choice for you
As a mother myself, I have had both hospital and home births and for me, home birth was a very positive experience. You may find family and friends and in particular the medical profession are a bit apprehensive about home birth, but don’t let this put you off.
Contact the Home Births Association of Ireland This is a voluntary group, founded in 1982 to give information and support to those considering and opting for home birth. It publishes leaflets, answers telephone queries and provides lists of midwives.
The birth of your baby is a very special and rewarding experience and to enjoy this in the privacy of your own home, with your partner/children for support is truly a joy. Consider your living room as the labour ward, music, candles, etc. You have it just as you like it. Hot baths whenever you want. Consider also the comfort of getting in to your own bed with your new born, when it’s all over. There’s no rush or time constraints, and no intervention with a home birth. You are the only person giving birth. The midwife doesn’t finish her ‘shift’ until you are safely tucked up in bed with you baby.
Home birth puts you in control of your labour and birth, while your midwife guides you through.