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 Who provides my prenatal, birth, and postpartum care?
Midwives are
experts in birth. Midwifery is the art of safeguarding the natural
process of pregnancy, labor and birth. Midwives support the pregnant
woman’s right to give birth in a setting of her
choice. The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy
and birth are normal life processes. It includes: Who provides my prenatal, birth, and postpartum care? We feel that continuity of care is very important. You will have two midwives who will be at your prenatals. They will be on call for you the month before, the month of, and the month after your due date. You will also meet two apprentice midwives during your prenatal care. At your birth you will have one of your midwives and the two apprentice midwives. How do I enroll for care at the birth center if I am pregnant? Your 45 minute initial consultation is free. To set an appointment to see the center and meet the midwives, call 503-885-0228 or email us at andaluz@waterbirth.net. At your initial consultation you will watch a birth video, see the birth center, and get answers to your questions. Is it safe to have a baby at the birth center? Numerous studies show that having an out of hospital birth is as safe or safer than a birth in the hospital. A study of 17,856 birth center clients published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that out-of-hospital birth is a safe alternative for women. Overall cesarean section rate was 4.4%. There was no maternal mortality. The intrapartum and neonatal mortality rate was 1.27 per 1,000 births which included transfers (the hospital group was 2.1 to 2.6 per thousand). Our midwives and staff are highly qualified to manage birth complications. Equipment for infant resuscitation is on hand. IV solutions and medications to control excessive bleeding after delivery are available if needed. Should you tear, we can suture tears with local anesthetic at the birth center. We do not use forceps or c-section delivery, pitocin induction or augmentation, or blood transfusions. We do not use anesthesia or excessive pain medications in labor because they can depress the baby. We lavishly use coaching and support for mother-to-be and her family so that labor, while challenging, is a good experience for all. What if I need to be transferred to the hospital in labor?
Will my insurance cover birth center fees? Most insurance companies reimburse midwives and birth center charges. We can help you to obtain the necessary information to verify coverage. Having a baby is a highly personal experience and we feel you should be able to share it with anyone you choose. This may include your husband or other primary support persons as well as other children, relatives or friends. Your primary support person can actively participate in the birth experience. If you decide to have other children present, they'll need to be supervised by a secondary support person. Can my baby stay with me after the birth?
What kind of newborn care do you provide? We will do a newborn baby exam within the first two hours after birth. We will provide you with information regarding the State of Oregon requirements for newborns, such as antibiotic drops for eyes, newborn screening and vitamin K injections. We support your right to make responsible decisions regarding your newborn's care. How long is the postpartum stay? The postpartum stay is usually one to two days, depending on your
desires and needs. Most women and their families choose to stay 2
days postpartum (the standard coverage from insurance companies).
This provides time to bond and breastfeed with your baby, have support
and care during the first couple days postpartum, and get a free massage
on your second day at the birth center. When a woman goes home her
follow-up care will include a 3 day postpartum phone call or home
visit, and a 1 week, 3 week, and 6 week postpartum visit at the birth
center. Of course, the midwives are also available for consultation
24 hours a day by phone. |
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If the need arises for a transport we are located near several
hospitals. To maintain the continuity of care your midwife would
accompany you to the hospital and stay with you until the birth
of your baby. Our transport rate in labor is approximately 6%.
At the birth center, we don't separate babies from their mothers. You'll have as much time as you want to bond with your baby and you'll be able to have anyone you want touch or hold the baby.