1st baby - midwife led or hospital?

[roarfeckingroar]

Hi everyone,

I'm early on with my first pregnancy. I'm 31, no health conditions or high risk factors, healthy weight and exercise (new to this - apologies if it isn't relevant but I've seen lots of mentions of BMI).

I've been advised to self refer and the options seem to be the hospital or the birthing centre. Where I am, the nearest two are next door so I assume if something went wrong I could be moved to the hospital from the birthing unit? On the flip side, I always thought I would opt for a Caesarian because there seems to be such a prevalence of tearing then poor after care for women in the UK.

Any advice would be hugely welcomed.

Apologies for silly questions - all seems a bit surreal

There's so much to think about, it's overwhelming.

Also be aware that once you get into a hospital/birthing unit, the private midwife you've hired will be subject to the policies and procedures of that trust. Its just something to be aware of.