Choosing where to birth

Deciding where you would like to have your baby will depend on the facilities and support you would like for your labour and birth, and the kind of pain relief you would like available. For women with certain medical conditions or complications that may affect pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will advise you that the Labour Ward is the safest place to give birth so that specialist are available if you need extra help during labour. For most women, pregnancy and childbirth are normal life events that are generally very safe and need no medical input, other than the care and monitoring of a midwife.

What should I think about when I am choosing where I would like to have my baby?

• Where will I feel most relaxed? 
• Where will I feel safest?
• Where will I be happiest?
• What pain relief would I like to be available should I need it?
• Are there pain relief options that I would prefer not to use?
• What is most important to me for a positive birth experience?
• Would I like to use a pool in my labour?
• Who do I want with me to support me throughout labour?
• Do I have any complications or risk factors that may require enhanced care and monitoring?
• Where do the midwives and doctors advise I would be safest? Why do they advise this?
• How will I feel if I need to move to a environment during my labour?
• Which health professionals would I like involved in my labour care?
• Are there any clinical guidelines that might support me to make a decision about where I would like my baby born?
• Have I had a baby before, and if so how did I feel during my last labour and birth? Was there anything I would like to try and do differently?

Women can choose to give birth at home, in one of our birth centres or on one of our Labour Wards. Use the tabs to learn more about deciding where you might like to have your baby.