Three Delivery Styles

Delivering a baby should be a joyous experience that every mother remembers fondly. While hospital births are the most common type of delivery for Americans, a few other delivery options are available for those not comfortable delivering in a hospital setting. Many new parents choose an alternative delivery style for the arrival of their new bundle of joy.

Hospital Delivery

• Hospital births became popular in the 1930s and eventually became the norm for most American families. In this delivery style, mothers are admitted to the hospital and mother and child are both monitored closely throughout the duration of labor and delivery. All hospitals provide pain management options for birthing mothers. Medical interventions including inductions, cesarian sections and episiotomies are common. Some see this as a downfall to modern medicine, but it can also be beneficial if complications arise. Hospital births are a very good option for high-risk pregnancies and those who choose to manage pain during childbirth. Doctors and nurses are on staff 24 hours a day to ensure the health and well-being of the mother as well as the infant.

Birthing Center Delivery

• Birthing centers are facilities that offer a home-birth atmosphere, while providing a support system of medical professionals for the birthing mother. Many birthing centers employ certified midwives, registered nurses and lactation counselors. While most obstetricians do not work in birthing centers, the majority of midwives have the education, credentials and experience to safely deliver babies in low-risk pregnancies. Most birthing centers have an "at home" feel, with comfortable bedrooms and living quarters. Giving birth in a birthing center is free of medical interventions unless they are absolutely necessary. Mothers are free to walk around and move during labor and delivery. Women who choose to deliver their babies without medical intervention or pain management may consider utilizing a birthing center for the delivery.

Home Birth Delivery

• Some women choose to give birth in the comfort of their own homes. Before the 1930s, home birthing was the norm and considered to be safe. With medical advances on the rise, the 1940s gave way to the new, safer way of giving birth: the hospital delivery. Today, with medical interventions at a peak, some women just want to do it the old-fashioned and natural way. Most home births take place in a tub, on the mother's bed or even in the bathroom; flexibility is one of the top reasons why moms choose home births. While home births are usually safe if properly monitored by a professional in a low-risk pregnancy, dangers are always involved in giving birth away from doctors and advanced medical equipment.

Laboring at Home and Delivering at the Hospital

• While the former three are typical delivery styles, a lot of women choose a combination. Mothers may opt to labor at home until they feel comfortable going to the hospital. This is a good option for women who want the freedom to walk around, move and eat during labor, but would like doctors and medical staff available during delivery. This may decrease the need for medical interventions, because some hospitals are on a time-sensitive patient schedule and getting the baby delivered quickly is important for insurance purposes. Getting to the hospital on time can be an important issue, but most laboring mothers have ample time before delivery, especially with first children.