Childbirth choices

There are so many choices to make about the way you'll give birth to your child and it's important to know all the options. In theory, there's no reason why you shouldn't have exactly the kind of birth you want, but its up to you and your partner to make sure you're able to take an assertive, informed part in the way your labour and delivery will be handled.

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  The choices for childbirth

  Women today want to be in control of their health, including the birth of their children, and the medical profession has generally responded enthusiastically to changing desires and needs. The “choices” for childbirth have never been greater, nor our wishes more paramount. Most of us want to have...
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  Childbirth philosophers

  The teaching and ideas of a number of people have changed women's attitudes to antenatal and postnatal care and led to alterations in the atmosphere and procedures surrounding childbirth in the Western world. Most of these theories seek to help a woman to follow her body's lead, in a loving and...
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  Home birth

  The big difference between giving birth to your baby at home instead of in hospital is that at home you're in charge and everyone else supports you. The major drawback is that if anything does go seriously wrong, medical backup is not immediately to hand. Fortunately, the chances of this...
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  Hospital birth

  Even though more and more women are choosing to have home births, most babies are born in hospital. The majority of women choose to give birth in hospital, either because they are encouraged to do so by their medical advisers or because they want to. Most hospitals are now paying much more...
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  Professional attendants for the birth

  You do have some choice about who attends your labour. Most women want to have their partner or a friend with them during childbirth, and hospitals welcome this. You may like to have a birth coach, too - someone who's been through it before and knows what to do.
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  Your birth plan

  Making your own plan for your baby's birth will help you make sure you have an active involvement in the way he's born and what happens immediately after the birth. Think about all the options available and what you'd prefer and talk them over with your birth attendants and your partner. In this...
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  Childbirth classes

  I'm an enthusiastic supporter of prepared childbirth and I believe that everyone can benefit from going to childbirth classes. These classes are tremendously enjoyable. You'll make friends and you can swap stories and experiences, so you don't feel alone and isolated. It's a great help to be able...
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  Maternity care on offer

  You can ask your doctor, antenatal clinic, social worker, and friends what they know about the maternity care in your area. But really the only way to find out what a hospital or maternity unit can provide and whether it's right for you is to go and have a good look round for yourself and ask...
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  Medical issues to think about

  There's more detailed information on the following subjects in other parts of the website, but this might be a good time to start thinking about certain issues. If you're aware of the arguments against some of these medical practices, you'll be more confident about questioning them, if you need...
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  A warm and soothing welcome for your baby

  Some schools of thought defend the idea of a “non-violent birth” and have developed neonatal programmes designed to soothe the newborn and promote the baby’s early development and wellbeing.
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