Safety is always the priority, so if you have certain needs or complications with your health and/or pregnancy it may mean that giving birth on a labour ward is the safest option. Your midwife or doctor will discuss this with you if it is their recommendation.If this is your first baby, and your pregnancy is considered low-risk, it is just as safe to have your baby in a midwife-led birthing centre as it is to have your baby in a labour ward. Research shows the risk to the baby is slightly increased when planning to give birth at home.If this is your second or subsequent baby, it is just as safe to have your baby at home as it is to have your baby in a midwife-led unit or in a labour ward. Women who give birth at home, or in a midwife-led birthing centre are much less likely to require medical assistance including caesarean section, instrumental delivery, blood transfusion and episiotomy.