If you choose to give birth in hospital, you’ll be looked after by midwives, but doctors will be available if you need their help.
You’ll still have choices about the kind of care you want. Your midwives and doctors will provide information about what your hospital can offer.
Advantages of hospital birth
The advantages of giving birth in hospital include:
- direct access to obstetricians if your labour becomes complicated
- direct access to anaesthetists, who give epidurals and general anaesthetics
- there will be specialists in newborn care (neonatologists) and a special care baby unit if there are any problems with your baby
Considerations
There are some things you should think about if you’re considering a hospital birth:
- you may go home directly from the labour ward or you may be moved to a postnatal ward
- in hospital, you may be looked after by a different midwife from the one who looked after you during your pregnancy
- you’re more likely to have an epidural, episiotomy, or a forceps or ventouse delivery in hospital
Planning a hospital birth
Your midwife can help you decide which hospital feels right for you. If there’s more than one hospital in your area, you can choose which one to go to. Find out more about the care provided in each so you can decide which will suit you best.
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