Practices... - Midwifery - Choice of Birth Place

Consistent with the belief that pregnancy is not an illness, the majority of care given to you will be outside the hospital. A community setting or your home itself will often be used to provide pregnancy care over the nine month period. After the birth of your baby, care will once again be given in your home.

The choice of where to give birth is one that requires special consideration and plenty of information before a decision is made. This will be discussed with your midwife at various times during your pregnancy and it is important that both you and your partner are comfortable with this decision. Each midwife in Ontario is capable of providing birth care in your home, a birthing centre, or the hospital. It may be advised, however, that some women give birth in the hospital as a result of health concerns for either herself or her baby. These is discussed in Points To Be Aware Of. On the other hand, some women may be much better off at home. Home birth is discussed further in What This Care May Mean To You.