As a doula, a woman without formal obstetric training who provides guidance and support during labor, I have received a lot of questions recently about having a baby in the current world with COVID-19. You have probably seen an abundance of scary news about giving birth in hospitals due to the virus. With restrictions lifting across the country, there is still a lot of new and uncertain terrain to navigate. Hospitals and birthing centers are constantly changing their policies in order to keep their staff and patients safe from the virus, and keep up with CDC guidelines, but how is that affecting the labor and delivery departments? Is it safe? Will I be able to have my partner and doula with me? How do I make the best choice for me, my child, and my birth experience? I’ve put together a list of pros for both home and hospital births, to help you figure out what your options are, and how to have the best possible birth experience in such an uncertain time.

Before starting on the pros of both location options, I would just like to say that these benefits/tips are for those that have a normally progressing, and healthy pregnancy. If you have any pre-existing conditions and/or a high-risk pregnancy, please consult with your doctor or midwife to collaborate, and discuss your options and preference for the location for your labor. You should always communicate with your doctor, because being on the same page as your provider is of the utmost importance to have a smooth and safe birth experience.

Let’s start with the pros of hospital births in COVID-19.

My first tip would be to call your hospital and find out what their current rules and regulations are concerning labor and recovery. How many support people will you be able to have with you? They typically allow 2 or 3, but how has this changed (if at all) with the current restrictions due to COVID-19. Every hospital is different, so call all the hospitals you are looking at to deliver in. Find out the rules for guests, so they can pack their hospital bag accordingly, and so they won’t be surprised if there are extra precautions or forms before heading to the hospital with you.

Also, check if there are any restrictions on the items you are allowed to bring in to the hospital. A lot of people like to bring in speakers for music, diffusers for aromatherapy, etc., so make sure that if you want certain items, you would be allowed to bring them with you.

With all of that, here are some benefits of going to a hospital for your birth:

Monitoring by nurses, doctors, and other knowledgeable staff
Medication options if you want or need it (epidural, pain medication, Pitocin, etc.)
Quick access to a Lactation Consultant and other medical care as needed and wanted
Ability to do blood banking (may also be an option depending on your midwife for a home birth)
Ability to have a C-section if needed or wanted
Onsite access to a pediatrician and other testing after birth (hearing test, vitamin K shot, etc.)
No clean up after birth
Most costs covered by insurance
Three hot meals a day without worrying about cooking, thawing, or ordering

Now let’s talk about the pros of home births in COVID-19.

These have become much more popular recently, and I have received a lot of questions, especially since COVID-19 swept the nation. Most home births are attended by a midwife, as doctors do not typically offer this as an option. You can opt to have a doula present with you to help you and your partner through the progression of labor, but just a reminder that a doula is not a medical professional and cannot deliver a baby. Doulas are an added emotional support person. Check with your midwife about any restrictions or precautions they may have due to the virus. Do you need to social distance/isolate for a certain amount of time before your due date? Do you need to have any specific supplies in your home? You can ask some of the same questions you would ask a hospital.

Considering all of that, here are the benefits of home birth:

Your own space that you are comfortable in
No need to worry about timing contractions and getting to the hospital too early and not being admitted, or being too far along in labor while in a vehicle
No need to pack a bag, and you can have all of the comfort items you would like
Can be as mobile as you would like
Can feel comfortable wearing whatever clothing (or lack thereof) without having nurses and doctors coming in and out of your room
Have the option of a water birth (most hospitals don’t have this as an option)
Will be able to focus on your own labor and progress, without hearing another mother down the hall pushing
Postnatal check-ups are all in your own home
Get to eat food from your own home and kitchen, or that has been brought by friends and family

I hope these tips and benefits have helped to ease your mind at this time in your pregnancy. It is my hope that you have a safe birth, and a healthy delivery and baby.