There is no way of removing every risk in childbirth. Although the vast majority of babies are born safely, the final outcome of any birth is always uncertain. Evidence does suggest that it is not necessarily safer for birth to take place in hospital, even for a first time baby, so it is worth considering carefully which is the right choice for you. Different factors such as your health, age, whether you have any  problems in pregnancy and what choices are available to you, will help to determine the most appropriate place of birth. The most important thing is to discover all the possibilities, to consider what your priorities are and then make a choice which feels right for you.

There are many advantages to a homebirth. In your own home you are the centre around which everything else revolves, rather than a patient dependent on the routines of a large institution. Your attendants come to your home as guests. You can relax in the comfort and security of a familiar atmosphere, with your loved ones around you. The birth is an event in your family life, a special occasion, a time to celebrate. For the other children in the family, particularly if they are very young, a homebirth is of great value as they can welcome their new brother or sister without having to cope with a separation from you.

For some woman ‘home birth’ is their ideal, but an unexpected complication could arise even for the most healthy and well prepared, and this is when many women want the reassurance that they are in an environment where medical care can be summoned quickly and efficiently.