Home, birth centre or hospital: where to give birth

Your choice

In the UK you can choose where to give birth: at home, in a midwife-led unit, or in a hospital labour ward. Your choice may depend on your health and pregnancy.

Home birth

Two midwives come to your home. For people with healthy, low-risk pregnancies who have had a baby before, it is as safe for babies as a hospital birth, with fewer interventions.

For first babies, home birth carries a small extra risk for the baby, and about four in ten first-time mothers transfer to hospital, usually for slow labour, not emergencies.

Midwife-led units

Birth centres are homelike, run by midwives, and often have pools. For low-risk pregnancies they are safe for babies and have fewer interventions than labour wards.

Hospital labour ward

Best if you or your baby need extra care. Doctors, epidurals and theatres are on hand.

How to decide

Talk with your midwife about your health and what is near you. Visit your options if you can, and think about what helps you feel safe.