The History and Philosophy of Birth Centers: Why They Matter
Birth centers are becoming increasingly popular for advocates of natural birth and holistic healthcare. Part of this preference can be attributed to the core philosophy behind birth centers and what they stand to promote.
The Origins of Birth Centers
Until the late 19th century, births were traditionally handled at home, with midwives being the primary care providers. After the industrial revolution and the rise of scientific research, the number of doctors steadily increased towards the 19th century. A significant number of these doctors took an interest in maternal health and wanted to work towards decreasing the maternal and infant mortality rates. This led to more women giving birth in hospitals and a shift towards doctor-led maternal care from midwifery care.
The Birth Center Movement Emerges
Despite this shift, some people still trusted the traditional provider and preferred the midwifery model of care to the doctor-led one. This led to the opening of the Childbearing Center in New York by the Maternity Center Association (MCA).
MCA worked on a national level and obtained funds to develop the Cooperative Birth Center Network (now known as the American Association of Birth Centers), a national body to standardize birth center care. This also highlighted the importance of midwifery skills and the need for midwifery education to be easily accessible.
Today, birth centers are free-standing care centers that are accredited to provide holistic maternity and reproductive care for women all over the country. Licensed midwives are the primary caregivers at these birth centers.
The Core Philosophy Behind Birth Centers
Birth centers are popular due to their philosophy and approach to care. Major principles of the birth center philosophy include:
Holistic, Family-Centered Care
Birth centers are focused on providing a personalized, family-centered approach to reproductive health and pregnancy. There is a strong emphasis on listening to what a family wants and expects and tailoring their care to ensure their expectations are met in the best possible way.
Low-Intervention and Natural Birth
Birth centers promote minimal interventions, offering a natural approach to childbirth. Midwives are trained in using natural techniques such as massages, water birth, and breathing exercises to deal with pain and discomfort. This decreases the need for medicines or other interventions. After delivery, birth centers employ science-backed practices of delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin contact to promote the baby’s well-being without the need for any interventions.
Empowerment of Parents
An important aspect of birth center care is to empower parents, especially mothers, by involving them in decision-making regarding their pregnancy and birth. We aim to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment that allows parents to share their opinions and concerns with ease.
How Birth Centers Contribute to the Broader Birth Landscape
Birth centers help cater to the demographic of people who prefer the holistic method of care from the hospital care. They contribute to the birth landscape by:
Aiding in the Reclamation of Birth Autonomy
Birth centers play an important role in restoring women’s agency in childbirth, giving them more control and increased choices regarding their pregnancy and birth experience.
Collaboration with Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
While birth centers specialize in low-risk births, they often partner with hospitals for high-risk pregnancies that may need specialist care. This helps ensure comprehensive care for everyone without any last-minute complications.
The Growing Popularity and Recognition
The accreditation and standardization of birth centers and midwifery care have made them a safe and popular choice for people who want a natural birth. Several studies have looked at the outcomes of birth center births and have shown results that show improved outcomes for both the mother and baby.