Hospital vs Home Birth in Canada: What’s Covered, What’s Safe, and What’s Not

By: Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA


Hospital Births
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Hospitals are the most common places to give birth. In fact, it’s recommended that if you’re considered high risk (i.e. you’re older than 35 or younger than 15 years of age, carrying multiples, have gestational diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or another longstanding medical problem) to give birth in a hospital because you’ll have quick access to specialist care (e.g. obstetrician, pediatrician) and increased monitoring if you and/or your baby need it. Note that you can have your midwife and / or doula present in a hospital setting in addition to the nurses and other hospital staff for your delivery. Another reason you may opt for a hospital birth is to have access to more vast pain management options such as an epidural. If you desire to give birth in a hospital, contact the hospital that you would like to have your delivery and find out when they have hospital tours. This will give you an opportunity to tour the premises as well as ask any questions that you may have like what their policies are pertaining to visitors and which pain management options are available to you (as not all hospitals offer the same selections).


How Much Does it Cost to Have a Hospital Birth?

The cost to have a hospital birth differs depending on where you reside within Canada; although, if you live in Ontario and have OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) the costs will be more or less covered (for eligible residents). If you have OHIP, you’ll have to pay for parking and your (private or semi-private) hospital room. If you have private insurance, check your plan to see if they’ll reimburse you for your hospital room. Overall, if you aren’t a resident, it’s best to ask your birthing hospital, primary care physician, and / or midwife what the associated fees will be. If you work with a midwife, it’s helpful to know that they provide care to all residents of their catchment area, regardless of OHIP eligibility.


Home Births

Giving birth at home is an appealing choice for individuals who:

- are deemed to have a normal and low risk pregnancy and get clearance from their health care provider,

- desire to have a more intimate and personal birthing experience,

- want minimal medical intervention (if not necessary) and prefers to avoid an epidural,

- feel self assured to birth at home and believe that giving birth at home is a safe and responsible choice for themselves and their babies.
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Some benefits of a home birth are being in a safe, supportive and comfortable environment therefore feeling more free to move around in a familiar setting, as well as being able to eat and drink as desired.


‍Home Birth Safety

In certain provinces / territories in Canada, home birth is offered as part of midwifery care and is an integrated part of the health care system once you are screened and have received clearance from your midwife. Midwives have hospital privileges which means that they can admit and discharge clients at hospitals and access hospital resources needed by clients, including a consultation from a doctor if there is a concern or complication. This is important to know as changes can occur in your pregnancy at any time; which means if you’re cleared to give birth at home, but your midwife observes an adverse and dire change in your pregnancy, you’ll be transferred to a doctor and will have to give birth in a hospital setting. Your midwife will still be present and will resume primary care when they are able to. Similarly, if during your home birth experience, an emergency arises, rest assured that arrangements will be made on your behalf to have emergency transportation and transfer of care to obstetric or pediatric services.

Home births are safe according to a Canadian study published in 2006 in the British Medical Journal. This study illustrated that by and large, women who gave birth at home had fewer medical interventions, including epidurals, episiotomies, use of forceps, vacuum extraction, and C-sections, than women who gave birth in hospitals.


How Much Does a Home Birth Cost?

Given that homebirths are offered through midwives, the cost will vary based on where you live because not all provinces / territories cover the cost of midwives. If the province / territory you reside in pays for midwives, there will be no further fee(s) for the midwife or homebirth. For example, in Ontario, midwives come with all the necessary medical equipment and medications for you to safely give birth in your home. The Ontario government believes that people who decide to give birth at home shouldn’t have to pay for disposable items that would be available if their baby was born in hospital.

A couple of things to note, if you’d like to have a home birth but don’t have a home, discuss this with your midwife and they can advise you from there. If you feel your home isn’t big enough or generally suitable to give birth, your midwife will visit your home prior to your due date to assess and develop a plan with you.

In deciding which path is best to pursue, speak to your health care provider to determine the best course of action based on your specific situation.

Take deep care, stay informed, live empowered, and be well mama.


Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA

Certified Transformational Health and Life Coach | Certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher | Certified Emotional Emancipation Facilitator | Certified Reiki Practitioner | Founder, Wholesome Mind Health Coaching

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