Where to give birth - the options
Vaginal birth
A vaginal birth is when a baby is born through the vagina, supported by a midwife at home, on the birth centre or on labour ward. Some women may need additional help during a vaginal birth, this is called an assisted birth. This can be with either forceps or ventouse (suction cup), these are carried out by doctors on the labour ward.
Caesarean birth
Some women will birth their baby via caesarean. A caesarean section is an operation to deliver the baby through a cut in the tummy and womb.
Some women will have a caesarean before labour starts, either because this is their preference, or because there are medical reasons that make this the safest way to deliver their baby.
Some women have a caesarean after their waters have broken or when they are already in labour. This might be because the caesarean was planned beforehand, or because something happens during labour that means a caesarean is the now safest way to deliver their baby.
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