While most women in the U.S. still give birth in hospitals, many other industrialized countries have made the shift to home birth being the norm. Do you think the U.S. lags behind other countries as far as the choices women have when giving birth?

I don't think they lag on anything. I think it's just a matter of choice where you want to give birth. I guess hospital deliveries are more common because we know we will be well taken care of or if any emergencies do occur, we know that they we will be able to handle anything.

They definitely lag behind on giving women flexibility and choices (and making them possible). I know someone who had a homebirth which insurance refused to cover. They would rather her be in a hospital and spend 10x as much. Makes no sense!

Personally, to answer the question, I would say neither. My ideal birth environment would be a freestanding birth center.

As far as being well taken care of, it's been documented widely that women are as well taken care of or probably better when out of hospital. There is much more personal attention to one's needs.

I think the US does lag behind other countries when it comes to a woman's needs for pregnancy & childcare. I have a friend in Canada who was complaining because they have a mandatory 1 year maternity leave. I couldn't believe it.

I think the US lags behind other countries on the issue of choice. I believe ever pregnant mother should have both a hospital birth and a home birth available to her. Some will prefer one & some the other, and that's fine.

I've had both of my children at home, and I really don't believe that I would have received better care in hospital. In my own home I was relaxed and thus able to cope with the births so much better.

Originally Posted by Suki

While most women in the U.S. still give birth in hospitals, many other industrialized countries have made the shift to home birth being the norm. Do you think the U.S. lags behind other countries as far as the choices women have when giving birth?

I don't think there's any lagging when it comes to choices, no. While most
people use a hospital, that's their choice. I know a two families who have
home birthed all their collective children and they'd never want to have a
hospital birth. I can't see that home birthing would become the norm... too
many things can go wrong.

I wasn't brave enough to attempt a home birth so I made all the necessary arrangements to get to the hospital. It wasn't a bad experience at all.

I admire woman who wants to do a homebirth and I support their choice to do so. A middle way is a birthing centre. It slight more medical but still a home feel.

As much as I do not care for hospitals I am with Liza on this one, not brave enough to do it outside a hospital.

I think that we in the US do have the choice to have a home birth. I think where we lag behind is having an affordable choice because a lot of insurances won't cover a home birth. As for it being safe. I agree it can be done safely. But for my peace of mind I like the fact that if something is wrong with the baby there is medical attention asap.

I really don't think we lag behind. I think that it is the choice that most of us make. I would rather go to the hospital. I just feel more secure there.