Let's discuss the difference between a hospital, brith center, home and free brith. We want you to feel educated about the choices you're making, what they type of care looks like in each and what your responsibilities are.
Hospital births are a fabulous option for those with high risk pregnancies, babies who may need support after birth and for people who feel most comfortable in a medicalized environment.
Birth Centers are a great place to give birth if you're looking for a midwife model of care with the equipment and amenities they have available at their center.
Homebirth is an awesome option for those who want the midwife model of care but want to be responsible for preparing their birth environment or who feel most comfortable away from a medical setting.
Free birth is the ultimate in taking responsibility for your care and birth. This is a super option for those who trust their body and their innate wisdom. This can be a redeeming and empowering option for low risk births.
Here are some links to the stats Emily read off. It's mind blowing as to how many voluntary or unnecessary C sections are performed each year in the US as well as how low our level of care if for postpartum moms.
C section rate for NH hospitals according to Leapfrog ratings
Wentworth Douglass- 21% Portsmouth- 16.5% Elliot- 34.7 Dartmouth- 25.6 St Josephs- 28.2
World health organization thinks 15% of c sections are actually medically necessary

https://www.cesareanrates.org/
Mothers wanting a VBAC have a 20%ish chance in getting one in most US hospitals

Need for intrapartum transfer to hospital is 23-37% Usually due to fatigue or failure to progress- not life threatening.
2013 study
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1501738

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-us-compared-10-countries

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2017/04/planned-home-birth?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn