Birthing Center vs Hospital: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Option for Your Delivery
- Makayla McRorie
- Aug 27
- 8 min read
As expectant parents prepare for one of life's most memorable moments, it’s essential to choose a labor and delivery environment that creates the smoothest experience for you. Those experiences are significantly influenced by where you deliver: a birthing center or a hospital. Understanding the differences in intervention measures, personalized care, costs, and emergency procedures can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your preferences and needs.
What is a Birthing Center?
Birthing centers are healthcare facilities designed specifically for low-risk pregnancies, offering a homelike setting focused on natural childbirth. They are typically staffed by midwives and healthcare providers dedicated to providing holistic, supportive care throughout labor and delivery.
Key features include:
Emphasis on natural birth techniques
Less medical intervention unless necessary
A calming, home-like environment
Midwifery-led care and well women services
What Is a Low-Risk Pregnancy?
A low-risk pregnancy is when expectant mothers have no pre-existing medical conditions or complications that might pose risks during pregnancy or childbirth. These pregnancies typically progress without significant medical interventions, making options like birthing centers ideal for a natural and personalized birthing experience.
Typically, an expectant mother is considered low-risk if she:
Has a normal blood pressure and weight gain (a pre-pregnancy BMI under 40)
Has never had a c-section
Is only carrying a single baby, not multiples such as twins or triplets
Has no history of preterm labor or fetal growth restrictions
Has no pre-existing chronic health conditions like diabetes or hypertension
Receives regular prenatal care
Has an uncomplicated pregnancy history
Always consult with healthcare providers to determine your pregnancy risk level. Haven offers free consultations via phone with our midwives to help you determine if a birth center birth is a safe option. To book your free consultation, call us at 919-322-0284.
What is a Hospital?
Hospitals provide comprehensive medical care for all types of births, from low-risk to high-risk pregnancies. They are equipped with advanced technology, numerous specialists, and emergency care facilities, ensuring safety for every situation.
Key features include:
Access to labor and delivery options
Availability of surgical procedures like cesareans
Emergency care in childbirth
A broad range of medical interventions and specialists
Access to a NICU
Birthing Center vs Hospital Comparison Chart
Before we drill down into specifics, here is a brief overview highlighting essential differences between a birthing center vs hospital.
Feature | Birthing Center | Hospital |
Medical Providers | Midwives, Nurses | Doctors, Nurses, Specialists |
Medical Interventions | Minimal, Natural Birth Focus | Full Range Available |
Comfort Measures | Home-like Environment, You’ll have a choice of methods to soothe pain: deep soaking tubs for labor and water birth, nitrous oxide, TENS units, birth balls and stools, Pilates bars, extra-large showers, essential oils, massage, and the freedom to move as you wish. | Private Rooms, Epidurals |
Insurance Options/Cost | Generally Fewer Insurance Options, Coverage and Cost Varies | Generally More Insurance Options, Comprehensive Coverage, Costs Rise Quickly with Each Intervention |
Benefits | Personalized and Holistic Care, Fewer Interventions | Access to Advanced Medical Care |
Intervention Measures in Childbirth
A significant difference between birthing centers and hospitals relates to intervention practices. Birthing centers tend to prioritize minimal intervention, encouraging natural labor practices. In contrast, hospitals are equipped to perform interventions such as epidurals, forceps, or cesarean sections if necessary.
Birthing Center Comfort Measures and Interventions
Birthing centers focus on providing a calm, supportive environment that promotes natural labor, with interventions only as necessary. They emphasize comfort and holistic methods to support the birthing process.
Private birthing suites with a home-like feel
Water immersion like showers or baths for pain relief, even up through delivery
The ability to freely eat and drink throughout labor
Breathing techniques and relaxation methods
Essential oils and aromatherapy
Massage and positioning for comfort
Continuous support from midwives and doulas
Non-intrusive fetal monitoring
Nitrous oxide
Tens unit
Swedish bar
Hospital Comfort Measures and Interventions
Hospitals are equipped to handle a wide range of medical interventions to ensure safety and address complications, while also offering various comfort options.
Private rooms with adjustable beds and amenities (once moved out of triage)
Water immersion like showers or baths for pain relief, but many hospitals only allow you to labor in those but deliver in the bed
Epidurals and anesthesia for pain management
Medical interventions like Pitocin, forceps, or vacuum extraction
Cesarean sections when necessary
Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (limiting movement)
Support from nurses, doctors, and support staff
Labor and Delivery Options
Cervical Checks
Hospitals typically follow a more structured process, often placing laboring women in triage initially until they can verify dilation and progression (usually a 3-centimeter admission practice)—particularly for first-time laboring mothers. Some hospitals allow women to decline checks once admitted into the hospital, but the triage cervical check is usually mandatory.
Hospitals typically perform cervical dilation checks multiple times during labor to monitor progress. These assessments are often routine and ensure that medical staff are prepared for any potential complications but can sometimes involve frequent monitoring and medical assessments early in labor.
In contrast, birthing centers provide a more relaxed, hands-off experience. Expectant mothers are often given the choice whether to be checked for dilation or to wait passively until they feel ready to fully labor. This allows for greater comfort, autonomy, fewer discomforts, and a natural progression of labor, empowering women who prefer a less interventionist approach.
Water Immersion in Labor and Delivery
Hospital settings often have tubs or pools available for laboring women, but these may be used selectively, not every room is guaranteed one, and policies can vary. Hydrotherapy n is recognized for its pain-relief benefits and ability to promote relaxation. However, most hospitals do not allow water births, requiring you to deliver your baby in the bed.
Birthing centers excel in offering waterbirth options, such as deep soaking tubs and showers, throughout labor and even during delivery if desired. These settings prioritize hydrotherapy as a natural comfort measure and support women’s preferences for water birth experiences.
Delivery Positions
Hospitals typically have standard delivery positions, often favoring the lithotomy position (lying on your back with legs raised), mainly for ease of monitoring and medical intervention. However, this position works against the natural flow of gravity, often causing women to strain more while pushing, resulting in greater tearing.
Birthing centers encourage a variety of delivery positions, including standing, squatting, kneeling, or side-lying, empowering women to choose positions that are most comfortable and effective for them. They can opt to deliver in the bed, on the floor, in the tub–typically anywhere they’d like. This versatility can facilitate better alignment and reduce the need for assisted delivery or interventions.
Cost
Cost is a crucial consideration, and in this case, hard to compare as each hospital and birthing center charges differently. Birthing centers often have lower fees compared to hospitals, especially if you are seeking a low-intervention, natural birth. However, insurance coverage varies, so it's essential to check with your provider.
Keep in mind that hospital births might involve higher costs, particularly if complications arise requiring additional procedures. It’s important to also note that both birthing centers and hospitals offer different payment plans and options.
Provided Labor and Postpartum Supplies
Hospitals typically supply a wide range of medical and comfort items necessary for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. These supplies are designed to ensure safety, hygiene, and comfort, and are readily available for every patient.
Standard medical gowns, towels, and linens
Birthing balls
Postpartum wound care supplies such as pads, a perineal spray bottle, numbing spray, ice packs, disposable underwear, and more
While hospitals offer a more robust line of supplies to patients, they are all automatically charged to your insurance (or self-pay bill) whether you use them or not.
Birthing centers focus on creating a nurturing environment with essential supplies tailored toward comfort, natural healing, and personalized care. Many supplies are included to promote a calm, home-like experience.
Each birthing center offers different supplies. Below are some supplies provided here at Haven:
Comfortable robes and slippers for elevated comfort when you need it most
Luxurious towels for water therapy
Birthing balls, birth stool, and pillows
Bluetooth speakers to connect your favorite music, hypnotherapy, or anything else you want to listen to while in labor
Aromatherapy diffusers (you can bring your favorite scents)
Supplies such as postpartum care are often left to the patient to bring with them, preventing unnecessary additional upfront costs. Curious on what to bring? Below is a sample packing list when attending a birthing center to help you bring exactly what you need!
Choosing Between a Birthing Center and a Hospital
When deciding between a birthing center and a hospital, evaluate your needs and preferences carefully:
Risk Level: Is your pregnancy low-risk or high-risk?
Intervention Preferences: Do you prefer minimal medical interventions?
Personalized Care: How important is a personalized, homelike environment?
Emergency Considerations: Do you want immediate access to hospital-level care?
Cost: What are your budget and insurance coverage options? (It’s always free to get a quote from each facility!)
Consider touring facilities and discussing your options with healthcare providers to ensure your choice aligns with your birth plan wishes and provides the peace of mind you desire. Whether you seek a natural, intimate setting or comprehensive medical support, the right choice is within your reach.
The Haven Difference: Where Safety Meets Luxury
Haven offers a unique approach, blending the intimacy and personalized care of a birthing center with the safety and emergency care of a hospital. This elevated birthing experience combines luxury amenities with immediate access to hospital facilities, ensuring peace of mind if unforeseen complications occur.
Discover the perfect balance of comfort and security by seeing it for yourself. Book a tour today to explore if a birthing center fits your birth plan needs.
FAQs
What are the key differences between a birthing center and a hospital?
A birthing center focuses on natural childbirth with minimal interventions in a home-like setting, while a hospital offers a broad range of medical interventions and emergency care facilities.
Can I have a natural birth in a hospital?
Yes, hospitals support natural births as well as medicated options, although many hospital policies do not allow water births. To advocate for your desired birth experience, you can make a birth plan that specifies your preferences regardless of where you deliver.
Are birthing centers safe for all pregnancies?
Birthing centers generally cater to low-risk pregnancies. It's important to consult with healthcare professionals to determine if it's suitable for your pregnancy.
Do birthing centers accept insurance?
Many birthing centers accept insurance, but coverage varies. It's advisable to check with the center and your insurance provider beforehand.
What happens if complications arise during labor at a birthing center?
If complications occur, most birthing centers have protocols to transfer you to a nearby hospital for advanced care. At Haven, our midwives have the skills and equipment to manage most common problems during labor and birth. They’re also trained to know when hospital care is needed.
If access to a NICU, operating room, or c-section is needed, we will assist you in safely transferring to the hospital. In most cases, a private car is the quickest option (2-minute drive) or 15 minutes by ambulance. If that happens, we call the staff at WakeMed Cary Hospital so they’re ready for you. Your midwife will go to the hospital with you to get you checked in. Once you get to the hospital, you’ll be under the care of the WakeMed physicians.
How do I decide which option is right for me?
Consider your medical needs, desired birth plan, comfort level with medical interventions, and financial implications. Tour the facilities you’re considering and see which environment speaks to you!
Can I switch my birth plan from a birthing center to a hospital?
Yes, you can switch if there are medical needs or personal preferences that change. Discuss options with your healthcare provider.
Do you have more questions? Check out our FAQ page to learn more!
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