Giving birth at home or in the hospital? An honest overview

The choice in the Netherlands

If you have a healthy pregnancy without medical risks, you can choose where you want to give birth in the Netherlands. Three main options:

• Giving birth at home. In your own home, guided by your own midwife.
• Outpatient birth in hospital. In a hospital (such as HMC Westeinde), but still under the supervision of your own midwife. You go home after giving birth.
• Medical birth in hospital. Under the supervision of a gynaecologist, only if there is a medical reason.

The choice between home or outpatient treatment is yours. We guide both.

Home birth, the benefits

• Familiar environment. Your own bed, your own scent, your own peace.
• No travel time during contractions. No car journey at the most inconvenient time.
• Own people. Who you want there, how you want to organize it, everything is up to you.
• Then settle into your own bed. No transferring, you just stay put.
• Sometimes less need for medical interventions. Research suggests that in a familiar environment the natural process often runs more smoothly.

Home birth, who is it suitable for?

A home birth is possible if your pregnancy is medically uncomplicated. This means: no unusual history, a normal position and growth ultrasound, no elevated blood pressure and not too far from a hospital. We will discuss this with you during your pregnancy. If everything is fine, you can freely choose home.

Outpatient birth in hospital

In The Hague, the HMC Westeinde is within walking distance of our practice. We give birth here the most of all hospitals in The Hague, because the lines between Femme and the delivery room department are short and familiar. A second trusted choice is the HagaZiekenhuis.

Benefits of hospital birth

• Quick access to medical care when needed. In the event of unexpected developments, everything is at hand.
• Access to pain relief. Epidural (epidural) or remifentanil are only possible in the hospital.
• No worries about cleaning at home. Practical little advantage.
• Comfortable if you live in an apartment or small house. You have plenty of space in a hospital room.

Points of attention

• Travel time during contractions. Car or taxi to the hospital. No problem for some, others find it stressful.
• Less control over the environment. Lights, strange noises, other people in the hallway.
• Often go home a few hours after giving birth. Some women like this, others prefer a little longer in a 'clinical' setting.

When is giving birth at home no longer possible?

If something changes during your pregnancy or delivery, it may no longer be safe at home. Examples: high blood pressure, a baby that is breech at the end, a prolonged expulsion, or an unexpected course. In such cases we transfer the care to the gynecologist in the hospital. We remain involved and ensure the transition.

Your birth plan, how solid is it?

A birth plan is not a contract. It is a guideline for what you find important and how we want to see you guided. It's completely okay to change your preference during pregnancy. Or, honestly, to decide during labor that you would rather be somewhere else than you thought. We go with you.

What do most women think afterwards?

Women who gave birth at home often appreciate the familiar feeling and the lack of travel time. Women who chose the hospital often appreciate the peace of mind of medical proximity and the pain relief option. Both groups are generally satisfied, provided they felt they could make their choice calmly. And that is exactly what we find important.

Femme guides both choices

At Femme we supervise both home births and outpatient births in HMC Westeinde and the HagaZiekenhuis in The Hague. We also have birthing stools and TENS machines available to borrow for clients who want to use them. During your preparation interview around 30 weeks, we will calmly discuss what suits you, without imposing a preference.