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this is the best way to have a baby and to be safe .

love the idea of a safe place that feels homey and midwives are welcome.

not as clinical as a hospital but you have more resources available if there's any complications.

I had both mine at a hospital but would have preferred a birth center

much calmer place than a hospital usually

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I love the idea of a birth center. Idon't have to clean and I don't get a knife

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i believe in natural birthing

My favorite cause would be midwives. I LOVE the midwives who delivered my daughter, and I'd like to help other mothers have great experiences, too.

I vote for this one!!

i've had four hospital births, but have heard such good things about the freedom you get with birthing centers

favorite cause is diabetes research

St Judes Childrens Hospital!

I have had 2 center births, and they were great.

I've had 1 hospital birth, and two at a birth center. I would go birth center all the way! Incomparable! You get the security of a facility with the comforts of home. No bossy doctors, but experienced, empathetic midwives and nurses. For women, by women.

It was between this or the homebirth...I choose this one cuz I'll be a newbie when the time comes!! :)

is less invasive but a good middle ground

underwater births have always intrested me

how about donating to breast cancer - that way moms will live longer in order to enjoy their babies!

ICAN is my cause

I had a bad hospital experience so would hope a good birth center would be better.

i had a great nurse...I hate hospitals but i was too scared to do it at home

Support PKS Kids www.pkskids.net

My charity pick is Disabled American Veterans

The Birth Center is an ideal location.

ICAN is my favorite charity

more safe

Much more 1 on 1 care

best compromise

I think birth centers are a great thing!

i've chosen uch birthing centre

not sure what the difference is between birth center and hospital. i know i couldn't wait for all 3 of my kids' births for me to be in the hospital and waited on, delivering food to me and no clean up to look at!

I took Bradley Method classes (I highly recommend them to learn about the birthing process!). I gave birth in a hospital with no meds, but I would have chosen a birthing center if it was covered by insurance and closer.

Best of both worlds. :)

baby is quiet

this is the best of both worlds.

i think that having your baby in a bith center would be the best choice than at home only because what if theres something wrong and the babys sick they will ba able to take care of the baby if needed send the baby tothe hospital. Having a hospital birth is traditional and nice but there ar more germs in a hospital than in your own home.

well...this is an awkward question...if you've birthed before and everything was ok, then go for the home birth otherwise, try the birthing centre

:)

I think this would set a more comfortable atmosphere for the MoM and that in turn would transfer to the BaBy. Not like a Hosptial (Institution) or the risk that can occur from Homebirth.

After four babies, I would enjoy the security of a birth center with the freedom versus a hospital birth.

i had a much better experience with my midwife than I did with the dr.s at the hospital.

i would choose home birth but what if right then and there u might need some help.

The professionals would be dedicated to babies. Plus, in hospitals, there is always the possibility of antibiotic resistant bacteria....

you have your freedom, but emergency services right on hand

bc u could have abetter chance wit the docter taking his/her time

because they are experts in their field and you never know what complications there may be

this is very good

like

Only in a hospital who allows you to give birth in any way you would like

Duh! If something goes wrong this is the best place to be. I never even thought about having my baby anywhere else!

Specialization for a very special day!

It is the safest, just in case something goes wrong

Response to a previous commenter: It is a woman's RIGHT to give birth in any way she would like. Unfortunately, many hospitals "forget" about a pregnant patient's right of Informed Consent or Refusal, and think they can determine rules for how a woman is "allowed" to give birth. And most of them do a good job of encouraging, coercing, and scaring women into following their "rules." In labor is NOT a good time to have to fight for your rights -- that can impede labor progress. Wouldn't it be nice to give birth in a place where you don't have to fight or worry about someone else's "rules" or convenience?

Not sure what this is but it sounds interesting...I will look it up!

I'm not having children so the question or answer isn't anything I've ever really given thought to. It just isn't relevant to me, personally. In any event, my charity of choice is BC/EFA (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS) - http://www.broadwaycares.org

I prefer a hospital birth just because to me I feel safer in case of complications. Also I like "Make a Wish" because it helps terminally ill children have some happiness in their lives.

Children's Miracle network

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I had all three in a hosp. Just in case there were issues...and there were

NICU nurse here. Seen to many home birth train wrecks that could have been prevented with access to immediate medical intervention.

yes...better care is much needed

I wonder how many babies end up in the NICU because of prematurity from scheduled cesareans with no medical need? Or because of not having the benefit of the hormonal & physical effects of a natural labor, and thus haing preventable breathing difficulties? Or becuase of fetal distress caused by overuse of pitocin as a labor-inducing/ labor-augmenting drug? Research shows that statistically, outcomes are as good or better with planned homebirths. There are a number of countries where homebirths and midwifery care are the norm, which have better infant mortality rates than the U.S.

call me old fashioned but hospitals really make nice birthing rooms now!

All possible medical care is right there ... 'just in case' ... my son needed extra special medical care when he was born that was available to him immediately! If not, the results may have been much different! After that experience, I wouldn't take the chance!

i choose ican

I can't have kids but if I could....

Never know what Nature can give you. Have heard nightmares about the other two, Great Aunt died home birth, when midwives were so supposed to know, breach birth.

Give me a clean hospital surrounded by medical professionals in case anything went wrong.

Hey, I would choose this one because to me its the safest choice you could make!!

I need the meds. LOL

WELL SINCE I HAVE A CESAREAN I HAVE TO PICK HOSPITAL CAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A C-SECTION IN A BIRTH CENTER OR A HOMEBIRTH LOL.

Breast cancer foundation, Susan B. Coman

it seams safer at a hospital especially since I have a hip injury

I think having plenty of medical assistance around would be the way to go

If only because, while the majority of births are complication-free, statistically there is always a small chance ot some form of medical need for mother or child : a Hospital is the best place to be is such a situation. Blessed Be.

My preferred cause is PAWS Chicago.

All 5 of our children were born before their due date -- most by just a week or two; but the last two were 5 and then 6 weeks early. I wouldn't have the last one with me today if I hadn't been in a hospital.

I find that if anything should go wrong you are in the right place for help.

given that both children had newborn issues, I'd rather be in a hospital so that they could immediately receive the care they needed

1) Midwives screen for candidacy for homebirths. They won't take you if there is something detectibly wrong at ANY time before delivery.2) If you live within 20 minutes of the hospital and you qualify to do homebirth, you may as well stay at home, because it takes that long to prep the special rooms! If something goes wrong, your midwife can call and they can be getting the room ready while she transports you. Mine had her own van fitted as an ambulance, but in 10 years had never had to use it but once. The baby and mom were fine.

MY kids were born there

sounds ideal because it is ALL about the babies :)

I'd be too worried that something would go wrong to try it anywhere else!

I prefer (and just did) a hospital birth attended by midwives

This would be MY choice but if you can handle home birth then more power to ya!

ya this 1

in case there's a problem they can help you!!! no hesitation

With my health conditions this is the Best to choose for me

i will be in a hospital bith

i like having it here

There will be help available (and quickly) if you need it

A hospital because you never know what can happen.

It think this is the safest.

safest by far

HEEEEEEEEEEEE ISSSSSSSSSSS SOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTEEEEEEEE

the best

It is the safest place to have a child

they know what they doing

Safest...but depends on the mother's pregnancy needs.

they have the best drugs. And are on hand in case of an emergency. choose for you though cause everyone is different.

safer

They know what there doing!

I have had c-sections for both of my children and soon to be a third time. I liked my stay, the nurses were very nice and it was awesome to have room service and feel pampered-even if it only lasted a couple days!

I have only had this type of birth so it is the only one I can recommend. Just work with the staff and set up things the way you want them to be while you are there. Take a tour.

You never know what might go wrong; it is better to have peace of mind.

just incase anything goes wrong. I ended up having an emergency c-section when everything was supposedly going exactly as planned after many 24 hours of labor and 4 hours of pushing. It is better safe than sorry when it comes to the safety of your baby.

I still prefer hospital birth. Because you still don't know what could happen atleast the best options are around...

Just in case...EVERYTHING is on hand and close by

Where else would I want to be? My own sheets, and comfy pillows (no allergic reactions from the laundry soaps in the hospital!), my own smells and sounds . . . yup. Give me my home-birth!

It's what I'm choosing this time around :o)

Homebirth all the way!

Unassisted Home Birth After a Cesarean...

I'll be having one of these in August! Can't beat the comforts of home!

I heart ICAN!

I've had a successful home birth

Own home, eat food, have kids with me, and saftey of unborn baby!

This would be my ideal location because it is where I feel safe and secure. It is the right choice for my family and I don't have to worry about being transported in labor. You should go where you feel the safest.

Having had a fabulous homebirth after two c/s, I would never choose anything else!

I think this would be such a special experience!!

It is SO much safer for MOST births!

home births are more relaxing and u need less pain relief

I couldn't imagine not having a baby at home!! Too heavenly :)

Hi Wendy....good luck!

we choose home birth to maximize safety & health

I'm glad I made this choice (twice!).

I wish I could have a homebirth. That would be a dream come true. Alas, for medical reasons, I can't (I've bled out after both of my births), but I still dream! So I stay at home as long possible and put off dealing with the docs as long as I can.

had an HBAC 10-06 - was wonderful!! will do it again!

My homebirth was the most amazing experience of my life

I've had two hospital births and two home births. Home birth wins hands down!!!

Birth....There's No Place Like Home!

i've had a homebirth and a hospital birth...and my homebirth was amazing...hospital, let's just say i'm never going back if it's an option

I haven't had children yet, but I've assumed I'll have my kids at home ever since I can remember. I guess that's what happens when you grow up in a La Leche League house reading Mothering Magazine during breakfast!

In an ideal world :D

had home birth, it was wonderful, would do it again!

I loved my homebirth

I have done both homebirth and hospital birth.

after 3 hospital births I had my 4th at home w/ a midwife... best choice I ever made! #5 will be delivered at home in just a few weeks :)

I've done all 3! Home is my choice by far~

5 of my 7 have been homebirths ... I love the midwife's focus on prevention and early detection. :)

Had a couple hospital births, next time it's home for us. The hospital policies hinder normal birth; they barely know what normal birth is anymore.

Unassisted Home Waterbirth

Home Birth is definitely my choice for comfort, safety and simplicity.

I've had the first two in the hospital, and if we're blessed with a third, he or she will arrive at home!

Birthed #5 in the peace & comfort of my own home after 4 c/s. GLORIOUS!!! Hubby says why would you want it any other way!!

Definitely homebirth!!! If only there was more access to this wonderful way of birthing, more independent midwives and better advocacy for homebirth in Australia.

Have had a hospital birth and a home birth - Home birth all the way!!

This was the best and most controlled, peaceful time of my life!

Homebirth is love! I had a beautiful son at home in two hours last May--it was wonderful. My first baby was born at a birth center and soon after, I realized that it didn't make any sense to have traveled to a "home like setting," when I could have just been at home! (I was also born at home 28 years ago!)

I've given birth at home unassisted 3 times

my 3 children were born at home, all happy & healthy - wouldn't have it any other way

Fewer germs at home; no strangers at one of the most intimate events in your life; much less risk of unneeded interventions that can lead to C-section.

Unassisted! Just me, new baby, husband, and son.

Prefer unassisted pregnancy, unassisted birth. Though I haven't achieved it yet. I will one day.

I planned a UC waterbirth VBA2C and ended up transferring to the hospital because my BP was too high and I wasn't dilating at all. An epidural helped me dilate, I guess because it lowered my BP. Next time (if there is a next time) I'm having a homebirth.

home birth unattended or with midwife present but standing back not interfering. ;)

The only place to have the birth you really want is at home!

Yay UC!

unassisted homebirth please! Nothing is sweeter than falling asleep next to your 2 hr old in the comfort of your own bed!

Preferably unassisted!

2 planned unassisted home births

I would choose an unassisted home birth, providing my own health care

an unassisted homebirth

I have one child, born at home, unassisted! Wouldn't have it any other way!

I woud birth unassisted.

no other first choice for me!

Home birth is less likely to cause interventions that result in C-sections, and the outcomes are as good, if not better than hospitals.

Hooray for homebirths!

After lots of research it's what I choose and had wonderful results! It's just as safe (if not safer because you and baby aren't exposed to hospital germs or pressured into unnecesary invasions) and the intimacy and family bonding can't be matched!

Wouldn't choose anything else! :)

Yaaay.

I've had one hospital induction birth and two unassisted homebirths

would prefer less interventions and risks thereof

Have them where you make them, Less risk of C/S

I have had 2 healthy boys at home. (8.8#, and 10.7#)

Its the safest for healthy moms; if you're sick, go to the hospital, if you're healthy, STAY HOME!!!

unassisted, please

Wish this was an option in MO.

Would be just so good at home, but good pro help would be needed.

There's no place like home!

Homebirth would be great! As long as there's no complications.

I LOVED my homebirth!

The best by far!

Can't have more, but this would have been optional if I could have.

I had two home births, and I would do it again in a heartbeat

ICAN

No more hospitals for me. ICAN is my favourite cause.

Homebirth is safe!

ICAN

ican

ICAN!

ICAN

Home birth is best!

AAFSW

Go, ICAN!

We heart ICAN

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Wow I was just talking to my mom about this today

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As soon as we are in a house we will be trying for a homebirth, already had a birthcenter birth.

ICAN

ICAN is my fav

I had my son at home--wonderful experience

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My charity of choice is Hagar USA

I like ICAN & midwife groups

Never the hospital again!

I had hospital births, but looking back now, I wish I'd researched my options more.

My OB was so anxious to tell us how much experience he had, he seemed to forget that giving birth was supposed to be MY experience. I would like something more personal than what he offered.

Both of my babies were born in hospital, but if I had been able to, I would have definitely had a homebirth both times.

On behalf of Robyn S., who voted but forgot to add her favorite cause, then emailed me separately: THE BAOBAB HOME, an orphanage and outreach program for children & families affected by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania -- http://www.tzkids.org

This is where children should be born. Bring in a midwife-best birth and you screw the health care system. Howdid women do it for thousands of years with a "prfessional" telling them to push? Gee . . I wonder!!!

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If it's possible evryone should be able to have their baby at home.

At home is best----with medical attentions in attendance.

Just mentioning my fave charity is ICAN.

ICAN helped me see how great home birth is!

ICAN

Had my last one this way; wish I had for the first two!!

ICAN

Back to add: it was a waterbirth, too! Attempted natural in the hospital with the first two--got pressured out of it, last minute. Messed up epidural with the first so that I was numb mid-chest down for 12 hours after the birth! They were REALLY scared they'd paralyzed me. It had happened before. With my anesthesiologist!! And he was/is STILL practicing! Second one, she was crowing and THEY KNEW IT and still gave me an epidural. Gee thanks, I didn't need my legs. Had they just let me get on my knees like I wanted to, she'd have been out.So home birth as long as baby and I are healthy!

Be with my family

ican

Homebirth (in water) is the only way to birth - for me anyway!

ICAN HBAC!

home is best

home is where the heart is, and where babies belong!

I was born at home and I came out okay!!!

Homebirth is best. They're already home, safe 'n' sound! ;-P I don't know but I'd bet it's cheapest/best value also for the risk reward calculation. The risk of complications from not having a doctor there is lower when you consider that busy and arrogant doctors make grave mistakes more often than is publicly realised. Birth center is a nice option for first birth and or where there are possible mishaps.

My mom had my sister's at home.

Assuming that there were no issues to wory about i would chose this,if i was absolutely sure that the baby would be fine and there is no problems,i would choose homebirth because i would feel more comfortable and peaceful at home,but i would put my baby before my comfort,i am just picking this one cuz it would be my choice if i knew for sure the baby would be fine

Homebirth, heck yes! We MUST remember that doctors and hospitals are in BUSINESS. They will do dangerous things to try to speed up your birth so they can attend more births and make more money.

awesome man

My grandma was a midwife back in the 30s-60s in West Virginia. I would have liked to have done a home birth, but I required special medical care and probably would have been sent to the hospital anyway (I know midwives and doulas are trained to know when and which patients will need extra care). I am happy with my birth experiences though, even though they were all necessary C-Sections. Do wish more women considered this option though, as I feel it is closer to how God envisioned it. Ne'