Birth centre deliveries

Choosing where to give birth isn’t as simple as booking into your nearest hospital. Where you choose to have your baby signifies the type of labour you’re aiming for and your views on childbirth.

A birth centre is a cost-free option for women wanting to give birth naturally: here’s all you need to know about a birth centre delivery.

What is a birth centre?

Consider booking into a birth centre if you want a more ‘natural’ birth - the philosophy here is that birth is a normal process – which will help you avoid pain medication and other inventions during labour. Most birth centres are midwife-led and attached to a larger hospital, so you may be asked to choose between the labour ward and birth centre when confirming your pregnancy with your GP. Although epidurals, and other medication, aren’t available at a birth centre, you can request to be transferred to a labour ward if you decide you want drugs as the birth progresses, if labour slows, or if mum or baby become distressed and complications arise.

What happens at a birth centre?

Birth centres are known for their continuity of care and are usually run by small teams of midwives that you’ll see during pre-natal visits, so you may well know the midwife who delivers your baby. Any woman, including first-time mums, can book into a birth centre, although midwives must predict that you’ll have a ‘normal’ labour that will reach full term. Birth centres are more homely than a hospital and they may offer a double bed, where you and your partner can fall asleep post-birth with your new baby. While epidurals aren’t an option, there will be gas and air, along with natural pain relief options such as a hot tub for water births, a Tens machine, birthing balls and stools or complementary therapies.

What doesn’t happen at a birth centre?

A birth centre isn’t the place to go if you’re set on having an epidural or if you want a private obstetrician, although some private doctors will attend a birth centre birth, so check when choosing your carer. If a caesarean section becomes necessary, you’ll be transferred from the birth centre to the nearest hospital maternity unit. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to book into a birth centre if you’ve previously had a caesarean, have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. At birth centres, no interventions, such as episiotomies, forceps or ventouse deliveries take place.

Are birth centres safe?

As most birth centres are attached to larger hospitals, they follow the same principles and medical policies as the main hospital, so are just as safe. Despite the lack of medical facilities, studies show that birth centres are just as safe as maternity hospitals. Also remember that the transfer rate from a birth centre to a labour ward is high – sometimes a third or a half of women transfer mid-labour – so doctors are always on hand should complications arise.

Find out more about birth centres

Every birth centre has different facilities – and a smaller suburban hospital may have a maternity unit that is very similar to a birth centre – so ask some questions before booking in. Queries might include whether they perform inductions, how long you can stay at the birth centre post-natally, whether there is any breastfeeding support and what pain relief options will be available. All birth centres also offer tours before your baby arrives, so have a look around before your due date to be absolutely sure you’re booked into the right place.