Birthplace decisions - planning where to give birth: guidance - easy read

Birth Settings

Health care staff will tell you about the maternity care you can get in different places to give birth. They will tell you what care is available in your area.

At home

At home means planned birth at home. Health care staff, called midwives, come to your home and care for you when you are having your baby. They are trained to support you at home.

At home you will be comfortable and in a place you know. You can choose how many people you have there.

In a community midwifery unit

A community midwifery unit is a birth centre in a different place from the nearest hospital’s Labour Suite. This might be closer to your home. It may be more comfortable and relaxed. Health care staff will care for you and support your labour and birth.

In an alongside midwifery unit

An alongside midwifery unit is in a hospital but is separate from the Labour Suite.

In a hospital’s Labour Suite (also known as Labour Ward or Obstetric Unit)

A Labour Suite is in a hospital and provides services when giving birth. Most areas in mainland Scotland have a Labour Suite.