Birth: The preparation
Choosing to give birth at home or in the hospital?
Choosing to give birth at home or in the hospital?
If your pregnancy and birth progress without complications, you may choose where you want to give birth: at home, in a birthing center, or in the hospital. The decision depends on your personal preferences, how your pregnancy is going, and where you feel most relaxed. In some situations, there may be a medical reason why you need to give birth in a hospital. In this article, we explain the options so you can make a well-informed decision.
Why is this topic important?
The place where you give birth can influence how you experience it. Some people feel most comfortable in their own familiar surroundings, while others find peace in a medical setting. Whatever you choose: as a healthy pregnant person, you have the freedom to decide what suits you best. In certain cases, however, it is medically necessary to give birth in a hospital.
In short: what are the options?
- Home birth: In your own familiar environment, attended by us and a maternity nurse.
- Birthing center: A homelike atmosphere with medical facilities nearby. Sometimes within, sometimes separate from a hospital.
- Outpatient birth in the hospital: You give birth in the hospital without a medical indication. We attend the birth together with a nurse or maternity assistant.
In some cases, we recommend giving birth in the hospital due to certain medical indications (more on that later in this article). If you are under the care of a gynecologist (secondary care), you will always give birth in the hospital.
Giving birth at home: familiar and safe
For healthy pregnancies, a home birth is a safe option — research confirms this. The big advantage? You’re in your own environment, which often brings peace and relaxation. We come to your home and are assisted by a maternity nurse. We bring all the necessary equipment with us.
What if something goes wrong?
If a complication occurs during labor, we will refer you in time to the gynecologist. We are well prepared for this and work closely with hospitals in the region.
When is a home birth not possible?
There are a few situations in which a home birth is not possible:
- If you are under the care of a gynecologist (secondary care).
- If you lost more than one liter of blood during a previous birth.
- If you need antibiotics during labor.
- If your home cannot be accessed by stretcher in case of emergency (for example, no elevator or no front-facing window).
- During large public events that affect accessibility (for example, King’s Day in the city center).
During labor we always assess whether your home is safe, and if not, the birth will take place in a hospital or birthing center. Unsure whether you can give birth at home? Please ask us during your check-up.
Giving birth in a birthing center: homelike but close to medical care
A birthing center offers a homelike environment, while you’re not at home. Facilities such as a birthing pool are often available, and in some centers (such as Bevalcentrum Zuid) nitrous oxide is available for pain relief.
Birthing centers can be:
- Located within a hospital
- Separate from a hospital but with direct access to medical care.
Costs: Check your health insurance. For a birth in a birthing center, you usually pay a personal contribution.
You will give birth here under our care, often together with a maternity nurse. The atmosphere feels less “hospital-like.”
Outpatient birth in the hospital: medical comfort without medical necessity
During an outpatient birth, you essentially “rent” a delivery room in the hospital. We guide the birth together with a nurse or maternity assistant. This can be a great option if you find it reassuring to have medical facilities immediately available.
Important to know:
- No guarantee of availability: If there is a reason to be transferred to the hospital’s medical department, this may not always be possible in the same hospital. Occasionally, you may need to move to another hospital.
- Costs: Check your health insurance. For an outpatient birth without a medical indication, you often pay a personal contribution.
You cannot reserve a place in a hospital or birthing center during pregnancy. When labor begins, we will look for the best available option at that time to ensure you receive the right care.
How does the decision work during labor?
When your labor starts, we first visit you at home to assess:
- How much dilation you have.
- How strong your contractions are.
Based on this, we decide together whether you will stay at home or go to a birthing center or hospital. We usually leave for the hospital or birthing center around 5 cm dilation, depending on how quickly your labor is progressing and how far away the location is.
In some situations, a home or birthing center birth is not possible — for example, when there is a medical indication. In that case, giving birth in a hospital is necessary.
You don’t have to make a final decision weeks in advance, unless there’s a medical reason. The most important thing is that you feel prepared for all scenarios.
Hospitals
You can give birth with us in any hospital in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. We work closely together with OLVG. In our address book you can find all hospitals and their facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I reserve a room in the hospital or birthing center?
No, that’s not possible. When your labor starts, we will look for an available room at that time.
What if something happens on the way to the hospital?
We always assess at home when it’s safe to leave. We take into account the travel time and the stage of your labor.
How do I know if my home is suitable for a home birth?
To give birth safely at home, you must be able to leave your house horizontally. This means you either live on the ground floor or have an elevator or windows large enough on the street side of your home.
Your home must also be accessible for an ambulance.
Isn’t a home birth more risky?
No. For an uncomplicated pregnancy, giving birth at home is just as safe as giving birth in the hospital. We are well prepared and will refer you in time if needed.
What does an outpatient hospital birth cost?
That depends on your health insurance. Check your policy for details about personal contributions.
In which situations do I have to give birth in the hospital?
- If you are under the care of a gynecologist (secondary care).
- If you lost more than one liter of blood during a previous birth.
- If you need antibiotics during labor.
- If your home is not safe for a home birth or not easily accessible for an ambulance.
Summary: what is the best choice?
The best place to give birth is wherever you feel most relaxed. Whether that’s at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital – we’re here to support your choice.
Important to remember:
- There is no right or wrong choice.
- Your sense of safety and comfort comes first.
- You only need to make a final decision during labor, unless there is a medical indication.