This entire article is available as a PDF  >>

Information about Birthplaces in the Seattle Area
If you would like detailed information on all the hospitals, birth centers, and home birth midwives in King County, check out the Great Starts Guide >>
For more tips, or if you need more information or would like to talk to someone:

• In Washington State: Call the Family Help Line at 1-800-932-HOPE (4673)

• Outside of Washington State: contact your local Circle of Parents agency >>

Where do American women give birth?
Korte and Scaer estimate that 1% of all births are planned home births. Their rough estimate for out-of-hospital birth centers is 30,000 births a year, out of 4 million babies born each year in U.S. hospitals. In King County, in Washington State in 2005, 1.1% of babies were born in birth centers, and .9% were born at home.

Choosing A Birthplace For Your Baby


This is an article in 5 parts:

Part 1:  Hospital Births
Advantages: Epidural anesthesia, and/or other pain medications, are available for women who...   more  >>

Part 2:  Birth Center Births
Childbirth centers are a middle ground between home and hospital. They provide a 'home-like' setting for active...   more  >>

Part 3:  Home Births
Advantages: Parents have more flexibility and choices regarding labor than they would have in a hospital. Mother may feel more...   more  >>

Part 4:  Compare Rates of Intervention, Costs And Safety
Estimates of costs for births without complications are: hospital, $5000.-9000.; birth center, $1500. for...   more >>

Part 5:  Research & Opinions
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated in 2006: “The hospital is the... more >>