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Deciding where you wish to have your baby is an important decision. We believe you should give birth in an environment where you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed. You will be able discuss your preferences with your midwife during throughout your pregnancy. We have put together information and links to research that we hope will help you consider the options and choices available to you in Grampian. We want to help you make the right choice for you and your family.
What does the evidence say?
A large research study carried out in 2011 called the Birthplace study found that giving birth is generally very safe for healthy women who are at a low risk of complications, and for their babies. The study looked at the safety of different places of birth for healthy women with straightforward pregnancies, and their babies. It was a large study, involving 64,500 women and babies across England, who were followed through pregnancy, labour and for a short time after the birth. The Birthplace research was the first study to show what happens to babies and women when they plan to give birth in one setting (such as at home or in hospital), even if, in the event plans change, and they are transferred to a different setting.
Key findings from the ‘Birthplace’ study:
- Giving birth is generally very safe for healthy women at low risk of complications and for their babies.
- For women having a first baby, planned birth in a midwifery unit (either freestanding or alongside) offers benefits for the mother and appears to be as safe for the baby as planned birth in an obstetric unit (labour ward).
- For women having a first baby, a planned home birth increases the risk for the baby by a small amount, compared to giving birth in an obstetric unit.
- For women having a first baby, there is a fairly high likelihood of transferring from home (45%) or from a midwifery unit (36–40%) to an obstetric unit (labour ward) during labour or immediately after the birth.
- For women having a second, third or fourth baby, planned home births and planned midwifery unit births offer benefits for the mother and appear to be as safe for the baby as birth in obstetric units (labour wards). The transfer rate to an obstetric unit (labour ward) from home or midwifery units is around 10%
The NHS choices leaflets has lots of excellent information, explains each of these options in more detail and provides you with more evidence-based information to help support your decision. Please access at the following links:
Your options in Grampian
In Grampian we have excellent options available to you where you can choose to have your baby. You can choose any of these options no matter where you live in Grampian. Please click on the below links for more information regarding each of these options.
For up-to-the-minute information about the availability of birthing pools in Grampian, please have a read of our Birthing Pools in Grampian – Frequently Asked Questions page.
