Kim Smith

U4 Essay 1
Option C: Conceiving Children: Process and Choice
Childbirth Options
One of the most important things an expectant mother needs to do is choose the
way she will bring her baby into this world and who will deliver the baby. Today we
have many options available to us. We have different options of who we want to
deliver the baby; there are obstetricians, family practitioners, and midwives. There
are also many options on where one can deliver their baby; hospitals, birthing
centers, and at home.
Medical Providers:
Obstetricians: An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specialize in the care of
pregnancy, labor, and birth. They also receive specialized education in the female
reproductive system and surgical care. (American pregnancy association, n.p). An
expectant mother who has had pregnancy complications before or has a high-risk
pregnancy typically chose an obstetrician to deliver their baby. Obstetricians
usually choose hospitals to deliver babies.
Family Practitioners: A family practitioner is a Doctor who has completed schooling
and training in various fields of medicine that include obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery,
and internal medicine. (American pregnancy association, n.p.) Family doctors will
typically only handle low-risk pregnancies and deliver the baby in a hospital delivery
room.
Midwives: There are a few different kinds of midwives available. There are certified
nurse-midwives, direct-entry midwives, and certified professional midwives;
certified nurse-midwives have a nursing degree and additional training in
midwifery. Direct-entry midwives and certified professional midwives have extensive
training in midwifery even though they do not have a nursing degree. (American
pregnancy association, n.p.) Midwives usually will handle low-risk pregnancies and
can deliver babies in hospitals, birthing centers, and at home.
Location:
Hospitals: This is the most common places for women to give birth. If you choose
an obstetrician or family practitioner as your doctor, you will most likely make plans
to have your baby in the hospital delivery room. The pros of choosing a hospital;
access to an epidural/pain narcotics, and should something go wrong you have the
technology and medical professionals close by. The cons; not a lot of privacy (even
if you have private room), routine separations from your baby, and you have to
follow hospital policys.
Birthing Centers: A birthing center is homelike setting. Most birthing centers are close to a hospital,
should an emergency arise. Pros of a birthing center; homelike setting, some medical interventions if
needs be, more freedom than in a hospital, less expensive, higher change of a natural birth, and you go

home the same day as birth. The Cons; some insurances do not cover birthing centers, going home the
same day (although it can be a pro as well, depending on the person).
Home Delivery: This is a great option for a mother who wants to be in control of the birth and be in
complete privacy. People tend to be a lot more relaxed and calm in a family place, so a home birth can be
a lot more relaxing and over all better experience for some. The pros; comfort of home, freedom of any
birthing position, no time constraints, and no restrictions! The cons; if something happens you have to be
transported to a hospital, even though is costs less than a birthing center or a hospital some insurances
wont cover a home birth.
At the end of the day, it really just depends on what the expectant mother (and father) are comfortable
with. They should do extensive research before deciding on a birthing strategy. It also depends on if they
have a low or high risk pregnancy. For me personally, I would prefer to give birth in a birthing center
with the help of a certified nurse midwife. The reason being is that neither my husband nor I like
hospitals, but at the same time giving birth at home without medical technology kind of scares me. There
is no right or wrong child birth option, they all serve a purpose and it comes down on what you want.

"Birthing Choices - American Pregnancy Association." American Pregnancy Association. N.p., 25 Apr. 2012.
Web. 02 Mar. 2016.