hospital - outpatient clinic - home birth ??

What do you think of a maternity hotel? Those exist too, seems really nice to me

As far as I know, there are no maternity hotels near us. I did check online, but it seems like something that's mainly a thing in the Netherlands. I live in Antwerp.

That's true, in the Netherlands there are several maternity hotels...and I'm also not sure how it works exactly in Belgium. It's not ideal here either, because there aren't that many and you really have to be lucky if there's one nearby...
I can't help you further, because I have no idea how outpatient childbirth/hospitals etc. work in Belgium otherwise.
I'd also prefer to give birth at home, but in the back of my mind I think: As long as everything goes well. Doesn't sound like fun to have to head to the hospital then... We still have time to think about it ;-)

Hi Caroline!

You should give birth where you feel most comfortable. I decided I’d watch it start, but when I was at 4 cm, I really wanted to head to the hospital for an epidural (looking back, that was good too because he had pooped in the amniotic fluid, and with 8 cm dilation in the car, I probably wouldn’t have been very pleasant company). Just follow your own instincts!!!

Hi Caroline,

I’ve given birth in a hospital twice myself. The first time because we lived above a shop and I wouldn’t have been able to get outside via the stairs (a spiral iron fire escape) in case of an emergency, and there were no other options.

Looking back, it was a relief because I was transferred to the hospital since the baby got stuck and I needed an ECG, which the VK doesn’t have.

For our second son, we chose to go to the hospital again. We had a day-care birth, which I thought was a big advantage because if something went wrong, we’d already be in the hospital. Plus, we had our own bathroom on the maternity ward. At home, you can’t even turn around in our bathroom, let alone with such a huge belly . It was a smooth delivery, but I was very tired due to heavy bleeding, so we stayed overnight (with my partner). We were allowed to do everything ourselves and could call in care staff if needed.

I also found it nice regarding breastfeeding. It helped us get started again and get some help, instead of being alone at home on the first night (both times we gave birth in the evening, and postpartum care wouldn’t start until the next morning). So I’d choose the hospital again. We had a really beautiful, cozy, and homely room . There was a nice relaxing chair for my partner, and “breakfast in bed”

Just wanted to share my experience, not sure how it’s organized in Belgium.

Best, Aap-noot-mies

I gave birth at home during my previous pregnancy. What a bliss! Your own bed, your own shower, and my daughter was put straight into her own crib (so no more lugging around the Maxi-Cosi to get her home ). Plus, the maternity care nurse was there during the delivery (she helped the midwife), so she was right there from the start!

What I’ve heard about negative experiences with hospital births is that if everything goes well with you and the baby, you can go home as soon as possible, but then of course there’s no maternity care nurse (if, for example, it’s in the evening). You’re often sharing a room with other women, so not much privacy... Well, but if something goes wrong, you’re obviously in the hospital immediately.

You should just do what feels most comfortable for you. I was lucky to have an amazing midwife who carried me through the whole delivery! I’m going for a home birth again now, but if it turns out differently, that’s fine too. As long as the baby is born and I come through it unscathed!