Giving Birth in Place

While most women in the U.S. plan to give birth in hospitals, it makes sense for all women to prepare for the possibility of giving birth out-of-the hospital due to unforeseen circumstances of any type. This is referred to as "giving birth in place."

The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) has an interesting and useful pdf handout available on their website about giving birth in place--basically, being prepared to have a baby wherever and whenever you happen to be.

Midwifery advocates have shared concerns for some time that during a pandemic illness, or natural disaster, or military conflict, women need to have access to out-of-hospital care providers (like CPMs), because in these kinds of emergency situations hospitals are not the most appropriate or accessible settings for pregnant women to be in.

ACNM has a variety of "Share with Women" handouts available on their site. These are a great resource about a range of topics, presented in a simple, easy-to-follow format.