Why Your Birth Environment Matters: How Where You Give Birth Can Shape Your Experience

"The birth environment isn’t just where you give birth - it’s how you feel during labour and birth."

Did you know that feeling safe, calm, and supported during labour can actually influence how your labour progresses?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a positive birth experience is deeply connected to how a person feels - not just the outcome of the birth itself, but how you are treated, how you feel and the space around you. And one of the most powerful factors shaping those feelings? The environment you give birth in.

Whether that’s a hospital, a birth centre, or your home, the space around you can either help you feel grounded and safe - or add to feelings of tension and uncertainty.

Let’s take a look at what the evidence says about birth environments, and how you can choose the setting that’s right for you.

Pregnant woman by freestocks

What Do We Mean by "Birth Environment"?

The birth environment is more than just the physical space. All five senses are included as when we talk about the "birth environment" we can refer to what you can see, hear, smell. More specifically, when it comes to sight you might want to think about who is in the room and what energy they bring, and what you can see including the lighting. Too much noise might interfere with your oxytocin levels so you might need some privacy, listening to calming music, to guided meditation or affirmations. Even small details can impact how your body responds to labour - especially in early and active stages.

Why The Birth Environment Matters: What the Research Tells Us

A calm, familiar environment can help labour progress more smoothly by increasing oxytocin (the “love hormone” that drives contractions). Environments that feel clinical, noisy, or rushed can activate the stress response, which may slow labour. However, let's note here that some pregnant people might feel safer in such an environment around many people. The WHO recommends environments that promote comfort, connection, and control - including access to companionship and freedom to move.

“The physical and emotional environment where labour occurs has a direct impact on the physiological process of birth.”— World Health Organization, 2018

Common Birth Environments

• Hospital: A hospital can offer 24/7 access to medical care and interventions and is often the safest option to high-risk pregnancies. For some pregnant people, this environment might feel too clinical or policy-driven but you can always personalise your room with music, low lighting, affirmations or a birth partner advocating for your preferences.

  You can always talk to your care team about what is already available and what you might want to bring to create the environment that you want.

• Home: A home feels more familiar as well as more comfortable and private. It encourages more natural rhythms and encourages uninterrupted labour. This birth environment is best suited for low-risk pregnancies with a skilled midwife present.

  It is good to have a back-up plan in place in case of a transfer.

• Birth Center: This is a home-like setting with access to midwives and emergency equipement. A birth center promotes more movement during labour, privacy and natural birth. There are lower intervention rates but there are also limited medical options available.

Birth Environment in the UK and Greece: What Are Your Options?

Whether you're giving birth in the United Kingdom, in Greece, or somewhere in between, the type of care and available birth spaces can vary a lot.

In the UK (NHS System)

Most people give birth in NHS hospitals or midwife-led birth centres, but home birth is available through the NHS in many areas (availability depends on your local trust). Midwife-led units often allow more freedom of movement, water births, and fewer interventions and you can usually choose your preferred birth setting if you’re considered low-risk. However you can always discuss your options with your care team.

Tip: Many NHS hospitals offer virtual or in-person birth centre tours - take one to feel more prepared!

In Greece (Private System)

Most births take place in private hospitals, where obstetricians lead the care. Midwives may be part of your care team, but are often overseen by your doctor. Home birth is legal and supported by trained midwives, but is not commonly chosen and may not be supported by all providers.

Tip: In Greece, your birth environment often depends on your chosen obstetrician’s hospital affiliation, so talk about your preferences early in pregnancy.

How to Create a Calming Birth Environment (Wherever You Are)

Whether you are birthing in a hospital, in a birth center or at home, you can still create a nurturing, supportive space based on your preferences and needs. Consider the following as some idead:

• Ask for dimmed lights (or bring LED candles or fairy lights!)

• Use music, pillows, essential oils (if allowed), or familiar scents that are calming for you

• Bring affirmations or photos that make you feel strong, empowered or relaxed

• Have a birth partner who knows your preferences and can advocate for you and consider whether you would like to work with a doula, have a trusted friend or a family member with you as well

• Limit interruptions, keep voices low, and protect your privacy

The Best Place to Give Birth Is...

There is no “perfect” birth setting. What matters most is that you feel safe, heard, and supported.

Make sure that you understand your options, you feel empowered to ask questions and that you are surrounded by people who respect your wishes. Ask yourself:

• Where do I feel most comfortable and calm?

• What level of medical care do I want or need?

• Who do I want around me, and how can I feel in control?

Choosing your environment is one more way to prepare for birth with confidence, clarity, and intention. Some people feel safest in a clinical hospital setting. Others feel calmer in a home-like space with low lights and familiar smells. Both are valid.

The space where you give birth is not just a backdrop - it’s part of your experience; your story. Whether you are planning a hospital birth, a home birth, or something in between, make sure the environment feels right for you.

If you want to talk more about your birth options, how to make a birth plan, or what’s possible in your chosen setting, I’d love to support you through my antenatal courses or the Birth Plan prep session – available in Greek and in English online and in-person in London and Athens.

Μια Σημείωση για τις Μαμάδες στην Ελλάδα:

Το περιβάλλον τοκετού μπορεί να επηρεάσει σημαντικά την εμπειρία του τοκετού σου. Αν και στην Ελλάδα οι περισσότερες γεννήσεις γίνονται σε ιδιωτικά μαιευτήρια, υπάρχουν τρόποι να κάνεις τον χώρο σου πιο ήρεμο και υποστηρικτικό - είτε επιλέξεις να γεννήσεις στο σπίτι είτε στο μαιευτήριο.