I'm Pregnant...Now What?

Choosing Your Birth Place & Support Team with Intention

Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most exciting, overwhelming, and tender moments of your life. Once the initial wave of emotion settles, the questions start rolling in. One of the most crucial yet often overlooked decisions is: Where do I want to give birth, and who do I want by my side?

These choices matter more than we often realise. Where you birth and who supports you can shape how you feel during labour, how safe and respected you are, and how empowered you are by the whole experience. For some, these can be easy decisions. For others, it takes time, learning, and unlearning.

Let’s talk about how to begin making those decisions in a way that feels aligned, informed, and rooted in your values.

Begin With Your Values and Vision

Before diving into logistics, take a quiet moment and ask yourself:

• How do I want to feel during birth? (Safe? Empowered? Undisturbed?)

• What kind of environment helps me relax and open?

• Do I trust my body to birth naturally, or do I prefer access to medical pain relief?

There are no right or wrong answers—just your answers. They’ll guide everything that comes next.

Choosing Where to Birth: Your Options

I distinctly recall being at my GP appointment when she informed me that my pregnancy blood test was positive. Her next words, and I quote, were, "So you'll be giving birth at Armadale Hospital, as that's your catchment area hospital." Honestly, if I hadn't known any different, I would have accepted that choice. Sadly, this is the experience for the overwhelming majority of women; they are not informed about alternative options. With that in mind, here are your options in Perth, Australia;

Hospital Birth

Ideal for high-risk pregnancies or if you want an epidural or access to interventions. Some hospitals have birth centres or midwifery-led models. Factors to consider regarding hospital births include increased rates of interventions like inductions, cesarean sections, episiotomies, and instrumental deliveries. The shift-based care system results in less continuity of care. Hospital policies may also limit your freedom of movement, food, and lighting during labor.

Birth Centre

A birth center offers a middle-ground for individuals seeking a more homelike environment with midwifery support while still being in proximity to a hospital for emergencies. Water birth may be an option if available, and this model typically ensures continuity of care. The birthing centers typically will promote and support a physiological birth approach. However, it is important to note that this setting is not suitable for high-risk pregnancies, as there are strict criteria regarding who is accepted into the centre. Additionally, the center must adhere to their hospital protocols, which can result in interventions and transfer to the hospital during labor. Currently, in Perth, there are only two centers available—Fiona Stanley and King Edward—so early booking is essential.

Home Birth

For individuals seeking a deeply personal birthing experience within the familiar surroundings of their own home, homebirth offers an excellent option, particularly for low-risk pregnancies. Attended by a qualified midwife whether private or through the community midwife program (publicly funded homebirth) often ensures strong continuity of care. This helps to cultivate a trusting and supportive relationship throughout the pregnancy and birthing process. Many are pleasantly surprised to discover that, with the appropriate care in place, homebirth is just as safe as a hospital birth. Families have the opportunity to customize their birthing environment, including choices around music, lighting, and the presence of loved ones. Home birth has lowest rates of interventions, although it's rare, a serious emergency might necessitate a transfer to the hospital by ambulance.

Choosing Who Will Support You

Birth is not a solo event. Your support team holds you—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—through the intensity of labour.

Here are some common roles to consider:

Your Partner

They know you best. They might not know birth (yet), but they know you—and that’s powerful. With a little preparation, they can be your anchor.

A Doula

A doula is a non-medical birth support person who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support and advice. If you’re birthing in a hospital or want extra support, a doula can make a huge difference. They can provide invaluable resources and knowledge to support you throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I met with a few doulas and chose the one I felt most at ease with. Trust your gut—it’s all about the connection. They can be anywhere between $1000-$3000 to hire.

Midwife or OB

Depending on your birth place, you may be under the care of a midwife, an obstetrician, or both. Take time to find someone who respects your choices and makes you feel heard. For homebirths led by midwives, you can hire a private midwife, which might cost a few thousand dollars after Medicare. Alternatively, you can consider publicly funded homebirth options, such as the CMP in Australia.

Family or Friends

Consider carefully—who brings calming, grounding energy into a room? Birth is a vulnerable space. Only invite those whose presence truly supports you.

The Power of Informed Choice

Regardless of your choice, the most empowering thing you can do is make informed decisions. Ask questions. If you feel unsure, consider these tips-

Firstly, determine if you or your baby are in immediate danger. If the answer is no, proceed to-

Can I have some time and privacy to discuss this with my support people? Making your decision is far more comfortable and less stressful without someone hovering over you.

Use the BRAIN method (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing) to evaluate your options.

• Benefits- what are the benefits?

• Risks- what are the risks?

• Alternatives- what are the alternatives?

• Intuition- what is my gut telling me?

• Nothing- what if we do nothing, can we just wait and see?

  
  

You Are the Authority Over Your Birth

There’s no perfect plan—just the right plan for you. Whether that’s a homebirth surrounded by candles and affirmations, or a hospital birth with a rock-solid medical team, what matters most is how you feel.

You deserve care that honours your body, your baby, and your intuition.

Because this is the beginning of not just your baby’s journey—but your journey into motherhood.

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If you’re newly pregnant, be gentle with yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers straight away. Just start with curiosity—and know that you deserve care that honours you.

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'Your birth. Your baby. Your way'.

-With love Caitlin

Click here to hear my story of how I decided to switch from a hospital birth to a homebirth.

My Story: From Hopsital to Homebirth

Taken by Sarah Del Borrello (Mother Mother Doula)