Special Delivery: Deciding Where to Give Birth

There are many decisions to be made when expecting a baby and one of the first on the list is where to give birth. It's a very personal decision that often takes into account both individual preferences, as well as medical and health considerations. Some of those considerations may include whether the pregnancy is high-risk, the number of babies being delivered (if there are multiples), prior delivery experiences (if any), if the baby is breech or not in position, and financial/health insurance coverage requirements. Hospital Births There are several hospitals in our region with top-notch birthing centers for labor and delivery needs. These include Cheshire Medical Center in Keene (cheshiremed.org/pregnancy-birth), Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough (monadnockcommunityhospital.com/services/maternity-obygn), and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (bmhvt.org/practice/birthing) in southwestern Vermont. The pros of choosing a hospital birth can include more access to pain management and the proximity to physicians and emergency care in the case of unexpected birth complications. Hospital births also have the bonus of immediate access to a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, if the baby needs assistance and nursing support for both mother and baby following the birth. While hospital births are often the first choice for many expecting mothers, for others a hospital setting may cause extra stress for personal reasons or be uncomfortable due to rules and restrictions. Depending on when labor starts, there may be a lack of control over who delivers the baby if there is an on-call schedule for provider coverage during overnight hours or weekends. Birthing Centers While for many years the region was home to a well-known birthing center called Monadnock Birth Center in Swanzey, sadly the center permanently closed at the end of 2024 leaving a hole in the community. Filling in the current gap, the shuttered center's website recommends the services of Sacred Transitions (sacredtransitionsbirth.com), a Bellows Fall, Vt., provider that offers midwifery and doula care for home births in our area. Birth Cottage in Milford (birthcottage.com) is another birthing center in New Hampshire that is an option for expectant mothers who live closer to that area, as is the Gentle Landing Birth Center (gentlelanding.com) for those near Hanover. It's important to do your research and choose an accredited birth center with licensed professionals. Ideally, there is easy accessibility to a local hospital if emergency care is necessary. The pros of giving birth at a birthing center can include feelings of homeyness and comfort, fewer visitor restrictions and interventions, and cost savings. At-Home Birth The third option for delivery is an at-home birth. There is a layer of comfort for many in the idea of having their baby in the comfort of their home under the care of a midwife and surrounded by loved ones. Home births might also include water births, if desired, and doula services arranged through local providers like Monadnock Perinatal of Keene (monadnockperinatal.com). While there are a number of pros to giving birth at home, including reduced cost and the ability to experience natural childbirth, there are also safety considerations to keep in mind that may make at-home births riskier for certain pregnancies. With less access to timely emergency intervention and pain medications, discussing each mother's individual needs with a trusted provider is the best way to assess if a home birth is recommended and safe. Every mother's birthing journey is uniquely special and deeply personal. Making the important decision of their ideal location to experience labor and see their child's face for the first time should be a carefully weighed and respected choice that leads to joy-filled moments.