Why a Birth Center is the Perfect Place for a Positive Birth Experience
Bringing a baby into this world is one of life’s greatest experiences. Choosing how you want things to go and what you would like your birth to look like should be easy and accessible. Birth centers are ideal for families who want a low-intervention birth with professional support and a say in how their baby enters the world.
What is a birth center?
Birth centers are staffed by midwives as the primary care providers. Sometimes they are accompanied by nurses or doulas. Midwives and nurses are certified and are trained to handle natural births and provide wellness and postpartum care. Unlike hospitals, there are no doctors at a birth center.
Birth centers are designed for low-risk pregnancies with a focus on unmedicated, physiologic birth. Mothers are empowered to deliver naturally, without any medical interventions or medical pain relief. The birthing suits offer a home-like environment with comfort and freedom to customize as needed.
Why choose a birth center?
If you’re considering having your baby at a birth center, here are some reasons to support your choice:
1. The Home-Like, Calming Atmosphere
Birth centers are designed with an emphasis on comfort. They have cozy rooms, water birth tubs, dim lighting, and freedom to move. This allows you to feel calm and relaxed, helping you focus on labor without any additional discomfort.
2. Personalized, Continuous Care
The midwifery model of care allows for a special, relationship-based care. Your midwives know you by your name, and they take the time to get to know you and allow you to get well-acquainted so you feel more comfortable around them.
Birth centers offer longer prenatal visits and holistic support compared to hospitals. There is plenty of time for a detailed check-up and for you to address any concerns that you might have.
3. Freedom and Autonomy
At a birth center, you get the freedom to choose how to labor and birth. You get to make your birth plan with birth positions, movement, and pushing techniques. You get to decide who you want to be there.
There are no routine interventions here. The care you get is evidence-based and individualized. We always encourage you to listen to your body and trust the process. You can try different poses and natural coping techniques to help encourage progress.
4. Natural Pain Management Options
While we have limited pain management options at the birth center, we offer natural methods to cope with labor pain. These include
- Water birth or hydrotherapy
- Massage
- Breathing exercises
- Birth balls
- TENS units
You get supportive coaching without any pressure to use medications.
5. Focus on Empowerment and Respect
As advocates of holistic care, birth is seen as a normal, powerful event, not a medical emergency. And it is treated the same way. Mothers are empowered and respected in every step of the process.
Informed consent and shared decision-making are priorities during your care provision. Which is why many parents feel heard, supported, and respected throughout the process, making the birth experience a positive one.
6. Safety and Transfer Plans
Birth centers are designed to cater to low-risk pregnancies. We have clear protocols for when something goes wrong and a hospital transfer is needed. If needed, we have plans in place to allow for seamless hospital transfer.
While the transfer is taking place, our trained midwives provide continuous support and monitoring to ensure that you or your baby is not compromised in any way.
Birth centers offer a one-stop solution for all your birth requirements: safety, support, and personalized care. If you’re looking for a positive, empowering, and people-centered birth, a birth center might be the perfect fit. Send us a message to get started!