Making a decision about where to give birth
The leaflet 'Birth Choices in Oxfordshire' answers some of the questions you may have about the differences between a hospital birth, birth in a midwifery-led unit and a home birth.
- Birth Choices in Oxfordshire (pdf)
- Places to give birth
We recommend that, if:
- you are healthy and well
- you have no medical conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure)
- you are pregnant with one baby only
- your baby is growing normally
- you have given birth before and there were no complications (such as Caesarean section)
- your pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks
- you are over 16 years and less than 40 years old at booking
then you may wish to consider giving birth in a midwifery-led unit, or in your own home.
Where these criteria are met, giving birth in a midwifery-led unit reduces the chance of medical intervention. Please see the leaflets above for information that may help you in making this decision.
If you are not sure if you meet these criteria, please speak to your community midwife.
What to pack
The NHS website offers a useful guide as to what to pack in your bag when you go into hospital or a midwifery-led unit. It also gives information about the extra items you will need if you choose to give birth at home.
Pack your bag for labour - NHS website
Birth preferences
It is useful for you to understand the choices available throughout labour and birth. It is helpful to write down your birth preferences so that the doctors and midwives caring for you in labour can support your choices.
