Do you think a home or hospital birth is best and why?

i would say a hospital birth is way safer cause there can always be last minute complication in which your baby will need a quick response and any delay can be critical

I think home birth is more safe. Here's a bit from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_birth Proponents of home birth prefer the atmosphere and safety of a home birth. The mother has more control over her surroundings, and can eat and move around, sleep and do anything she pleases – activities which may be discouraged in a hospital setting. The mother is often more comfortable in her own home and increased comfort contributes to shorter labor. The germs that are present are the normal germs of that family's home, to which the baby has immunity acquired from the mother. Hospitals are a common source of infection for mothers and babies by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Conversely, some mothers are more comfortable in a hospital setting because they implicitly trust the medical system and because they prefer to be closer to an operating room should an emergency arise. It usually takes a minimum of 30 minutes to prepare an operating theatre for surgery and so for women within easy travelling distance of a hospital, this is less important. [edit] Safety The safety of home birth has been questioned by some obstetricians and general practitioners, but designing randomized controlled trials to test the safety of home birth compared to hospital birth has significant ethical problems. Studies of safety have generally found home birth (for healthy women with normal pregnancies) to be at least as safe as hospital birth. A recent study in the British Medical Journal, "Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America" (Johnson & Daviss, June 2005), concluded that outcomes were just as good and "medical intervention rates (such as epidural, episiotomy, forceps, ventouse, and caesarean section) were substantially lower than for low risk US women having hospital births." For example, amongst the home birth women, 3.7% ended up having a caesarean section compared to 19% for the US as a whole (for a similar risk profile) [2000 data]. The intrapartum and neonatal mortality was 1.7 deaths per 1000 low risk intended home births after planned breeches and twins (not considered low risk) were excluded I believe doctors in hospitals try to get the birth to go there way. They induce if it's not going fast enough, which leads to more tears or episiotomies and may lead to cesareans. Just about every woman I know that received pitocin (to induce) had a cesarean. The other women that didn't had to get severe episiotomies.

It depends to the people concerned. but for me, I prefer my wife give birth in a hospital because I feel safe and secured for my family.

A hospital birth would be a safer option if there are complications, but otherwise I don't think there would be in problems with a home birth! The best thing to do would be discuss it with your doctor. They can let you know if you have any conditions or anything that would require medical attention. And if you haven't had a baby before be away that it is a very messy time, and afterwards you aren't going to feel like cleaning up! If you don't have any complications though, and the doctor has no concerns, go for it! I know a couple who are both nurses and have said that if they ever have children, they will be having a home birth. I honestly wouldn't want one, but its a very personal choice. Only you and your doctor know what is best for you and your baby. Whatever you decide though, don't get your heart set on one way or the other. You may want a home birth, but just be aware that the unexpected can happen. Otherwise, good luck, all the best to you and yours baby!