Hospital birth or home birth?

Most mothers feel and think that giving birth to their child in a hospital is natural. However, there is another option - home birth - which is chosen by far fewer people, although it is also possible in Hungary if certain conditions are met.

This is a very divisive topic, as every woman usually has a definite idea about her own birth, and they consider different aspects to be primary, and their concerns are also different.

What criteria do mothers usually base their decisions on?

Giving birth in a hospital means greater safety for many

The possibility of continuous medical supervision is a reassuring feeling for many expectant mothers. The healthcare institution undoubtedly has the irreplaceable advantage of being able to intervene immediately in the event of any unexpected turn or complication. This means the rapid availability of the equipment on site and the medical colleagues who immediately come to help. In the event of an emergency, for example, surgical or other life-saving interventions can be performed within moments.

Fear of labor pain and the choice of pain relief options may also play a role in a mother's decision to give birth in a hospital. Many are averse to alternative solutions because they feel unfamiliar. Overall, a sense of security and family and social example are behind the frequency of hospital births.

Home birth and home birth, according to nature

The desire to experience a natural birth can stem from an inner desire that the mother would like to give herself and her baby. It can also be a belief based on a life perspective.

Childbirth is one of the most natural events in our lives. During a peaceful birth, the mother can look inward and experience the processes of nature in a calm environment, at her own pace, with full support for her feelings, needs and requests. This does not mean that she is left alone, as staff will observe and support her every moment from a suitable distance, and help according to her needs.

During a smooth birth, the mother is calm and feels capable of delivering her baby without interventions, such as rupture of membranes or dilation of the cervix. She trusts herself and feels her own reserves, so complications occur less frequently.

The atmosphere created during childbirth provides emotional security for the mother. Home birth is a family event. The father can witness the arrival of his child from close proximity and can participate more actively in helping his partner and communicating with him. There are families where the children also participate in the birth of their little brother and greet him together when he arrives.

There are now also intermediate solutions

 These initiatives are implemented in line with the needs of expectant mothers in healthcare institutions that provide the family with the experience of giving birth at home, with appropriate hospital safety. We can find hospitals that support undisturbed childbirth, which have family-centered obstetric departments and healthcare professionals working in a similar spirit, welcoming expectant mothers and their families with appropriate professional and technical preparation and safety.

These hospitals, of course, also provide prenatal care and even support for new parents in newborn care. The expectant mother is free to choose labor and delivery positions, certain alternative methods, various assistive devices, or even water birth.

Home birth can take place under the conditions described in the law. 

In 2011, the regulation regulating home birth came into effect.

The basic conditions are an uncomplicated pregnancy, a cephalic position of the fetus, and labor that has begun between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy. Since problems can occur at any time, the hospital must be accessible within 20 minutes at most.

In addition to these, we can read in detail about many other conditions, including the responsibilities of the staff present, their appropriate professional practices, and the care of the newborn after birth. All of these ensure that the mother and baby are in excellent health at the time of delivery. Only in this case can a home birth be possible.

If you would like to study the legislation, you can find it here:

35/2011. (III. 21.) Government Decree on the professional rules, conditions and exclusion grounds for childbirth outside the institution       

Methods to assist childbirth, which help the mother to surrender to the process more easily

If the mother wants to give birth in a hospital and would like to prepare herself mentally for the big event, she can choose from techniques that effectively help dispel fears and create a natural state of mind in which childbirth will be a wonderful positive expectation and experience. She can take this well-practiced knowledge with her and be able to apply it during labor and delivery, which will fundamentally provide her with a sense of security.

This way, you will look forward to childbirth with positive anticipation and will feel like you want to experience the joys of every moment to the fullest.

Childbirth preparation courses 

If we learn about the functioning of our female body during pregnancy and childbirth, our fears will be greatly reduced or eliminated. The expectant mother is often unaware of the miracles her body is capable of and how much strength she can focus during childbirth, which will help her through the process. Experts point out these functions.

Prenatal exercises and breathing exercises

Special relaxation and breathing exercises give the mother tools that she can use in almost any situation during childbirth, helping her to relax physically and mentally, reducing pain, which can often be exacerbated by tension. Breathing exercises provide more oxygen to both the mother and the fetus.

Childbirth with self-hypnosis 

We can thank Marie F. Mongan (her book Birth Where I'm in Control ) for the method of hypnobirthing. A full understanding of the process and the visualization, relaxation and breathing techniques she developed can give the expectant mother a joyful pregnancy and birth . Today, the technique is also available in Hungary.

These methods can also be very helpful if the birth takes an unexpected turn. In any situation, well-practiced relaxation and mental peace can be evoked, which has a positive effect on both the mother and the baby.

We can also try essential oils and herbs, but we always seek the opinion of a professional before using them.

The most common concerns of expectant mothers supporting hospital births and home births 

• Striving for safety
• Continuous medical and instrumental monitoring
• Professionals and environment met during pregnancy care
• Pain relief
• Previous negative birth experience
• The dream birth experience
• Experiencing a natural, undisturbed process
• Use of alternative elements
• Family-centeredness
• Comfortable, homely environment
• Affordable costs (Health Insurance does not support home birth)
• Legal regulations

Mothers basically feel which solution is more sympathetic to them and which one they want to stick to. They choose hospital birth just as strongly as they are attracted to home birth.

Everyone's situation and ideas are different, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The expectant mother can make a responsible decision only if she is sufficiently informed. By learning about and considering the options, the family can make the most appropriate decision, the first consideration of which should always be the safety and health of the baby and herself.