Don't panic! Consider your options! Giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic changes everything, so let's discuss your choices so you can decide what's right for you. + video!
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Home vs Hospital Birth
As you get closer and closer to your due date, soon-to-be parents have so many choices to make, including where to give birth! I believe that our bodies are powerful and with the right support, we are unstoppable! 
Choosing where to give birth gives us more power in our birth, but with everything going on today with COVID-19 it might make a lot of parents think twice. Let’s go over what you need to know on how COVID-19 is impacting this decision to help you make the right decision for you!
Hospital
Most people in the U.S. give birth in a hospital but have you thought about how COVID-19 is impacting the hospitals?
- Hospitals have sick people
- the hospital resources are strained
- they also have limitations where they may have to quarantine visitors and limit visitors
- Some hospital staff are even acting as if the Labor and Delivery units are taking up beds and are trying to expedite delivery
These have always been issues at hospitals. However, now that the hospitals are strained with COVID-19 patients as well as their everyday sick and emergent patients, these issues are more magnified.
The visitor policies vary by geographical region and by hospital. Stay connected with your provider to learn how they’re changing and what to expect.
Even with limited visitor policies, you will still have support in a hospital. Nurses are trained to support you during labor and birth. They are trained for all kinds of situations that may arise, and they can confidently be your person when the visitor policy is limited.
Home with a Midwife
Midwives care for low-risk parents. If you have complications or are giving birth preterm, they may not be able to work with you.
Midwives develop long term relationships with their clients. Similar to an OBGYN relationship, midwives develop a relationship with you and get to know your goals and your pregnancy during longer prenatal appointments. Switching to a midwife to give birth out-of-hospital out of fear and late in your pregnancy can be like going to a stranger asking if they can catch your baby.
Your midwife is going to need your records. So request your medical records ASAP! It is a good idea to have your records handy no matter what you chose!
The out-of-control feelings are totally normal. Many people may even feel frantic or desperate to stay out of the hospital at this time. Also, many midwives are getting a lot of requests for new clients who are taking another look at their options in a pandemic.
A transfer of care during
pregnancy takes some homework to find an expert midwife that you trust. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly or based on desperation. I discuss this further in the video below.
Homebirth is not an option JUST because of fear of the hospital. In birth, you need to be willing to ride the wave of changes. If something unexpected happens, you may still need to go to the hospital. That does NOT mean you failed at home, but rather “stepping it up” in the level of care based on the events or changes during your pregnancy and during your birth.
Even folx planning an out-of-hospital birth are encouraged to know where their transferring hospital is and take a tour. It’s less scary and unknown if you’ve already toured and have an idea what a transfer into the hospital might be like. (of course a tour is not possible during a pandemic, but you get what I’m saying)
Get clear on YOUR priorities
It is up to you to choose where you want to give birth! Surround yourself with a support system that helps you decide what is best for you.
Make a list and star the important things. Really think about the things that make you feel comfortable. The hospital won’t be very calm or comfortable in some locations, so making it feel more like your home can help.
It is so important to know how you want to experience the birth of your child. Writing it down allows you to get a clear picture of what you really want, as well as helps others understand and advocate for you too.
With all this chaos, you can still have the birth you planned! Just be ready to ride the wave of change and be informed!
- You CAN still give birth without your OG support team.
- You CAN change to another provider or another system.
- You CAN give birth the way you want!
No matter where you are, you will feel more in-control if you make an educated choice based on your goals for your birth instead of one out of fear and desperation. Good luck and Birth Boldly
Much love and handwashing,
Click on the video below for more discussion on choosing where to give birth in a pandemic
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