<unk> s are either attended or unattended, planned or unplanned. Women are attended when they are assisted through labor and birth by a professional, usually a midwife, and rarely a general practitioner. Women who are unassisted or only attended by a lay person, perhaps a doula, their spouse, family, friend, or a non-professional birth attendant, are sometimes called freebirths. A "planned"<unk>  is a birth that occurs at<unk>  by intention. An "unplanned"<unk>  is one that occurs at<unk>  by necessity but not with intention. Reasons for unplanned<unk> s include inability to travel to the hospital or birthing center due to conditions outside the control of the mother such as weather or road blockages or speed of birth progression. Factors Many women choose<unk>  because delivering a baby in familiar surroundings is important to them. Others choose<unk>  because they dislike a hospital or birthing center environment, do not like a medically centered birthing experience, are concerned about exposing the infant to hospital-borne pathogens, or dislike the presence of strangers at the birth. Others prefer<unk>  because they feel it is more natural and less stressful. In a study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, women were asked, Why did you choose a<unk> ? The top five reasons given were safety, avoidance of unnecessary medical interventions common in hospital births, previous negative hospital experiences, more control, and a comfortable and familiar environment. One study found that women experience pain inherent in birth differently, and less negatively, in a<unk>  setting. Cost is also a factor. The estimated average cost of a<unk>  in the United States in 2021 was $4,650, compared with $13,562 for a vaginal hospital birth.In developing countries, where women may not be able to afford medical care or it may not be accessible to them, a<unk>  may be the only option available, and the woman may or may not be assisted by a professional attendant of any kind. Some women may not be able to have a safe birth at<unk> , even with highly trained midwives. There are some medical conditions that can prevent a woman from qualifying for a<unk> . These often include heart disease, renal disease, diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, placenta abruption, antepartum hemorrhage after 20 weeks gestation, and active genital herpes. Prior cesarean deliveries can sometimes prevent a woman from qualifying for a<unk> , though not always. It is important that a woman and her health care provider discuss the individual health risks prior to planning a<unk> .
Home birth
Coffin birth
Young blood transfusion
Unassisted childbirth
Birch
Babywearing
Childbirth
Breastfeeding in public