A growing number of expectant mothers are turning to Birthing Centers as an alternative to traditional hospitals. These specialized medical facilities are designed to maximize the comfort of the mother, employing medical professionals and certified nurses to help make your pregnancy as ideal as possible.
Many birthing centers have important options that you won’t find in hospitals, such as complete natural labor experiences, helping to ensure your comfort without the use of drugs or C-section operations. Birthing centers don’t have automated procedures like hospitals do, although they have completed access to IV and oxygen machines, along with the medical tools needed in case complications arise. Importantly, you’ll have more freedom in terms of your own personal condition, as well as your ability to organize the labor process as you see fit. A hybrid between home-based midwife delivery and regulated hospital centers, birthing centers are a good option for certain mothers to be.
You’ll also want to explore local maternity options at hospitals – many hospitals offer world-class treatment for mother and babies, including after the delivery. Always review all of your options before making a final decision. Discuss the options with your medical care professional, who can outline the pros and cons of the various health delivery options in advance of your due date.
Good post… but are you talking about birthing centers run by dr’s (like the Ob/Gyn’s you mentioned in the other post) or midwives. The reason I ask is because this emphasizes the medical parts only.
Thanks for your comment Mama Kalila. We’re excited to promote birthing centers of all varieties. But your point is well taken. Currently the website still has a medical bias and we’d like to change this asap to start actively promoting birth centers run by midwives. If you recommend any in particular we’d love your help by using the “add a listing” link above.
I have a two year old daughter that I had to have a c-section with. I recently found out that our insurance will cover 100% (as opposed to 75%) if I use a birthing center instead of a hospital. What I’m trying to find out is is birthing centers do c-sections, or if I’m stuck with the hospitals.
It’s a good question. In our case our birthing center wasn’t equipped to handle a c-section but we were in the same building of a facility that was – so it was kind of the best of both worlds. I think you may have to contact birthing centers on a case-by-case basis to determine this. Are you not a candidate for a VBAC?
I guess I’m not sure if I am a candidate. I’m not currently pregnant, but my husband are now trying to have another. I just find the idea of a VBAC kind of scary, because of the risk of the scar tissue tearing during labor.
I’m definitely no expert, but my understanding is that there is a lot of confusion and misconception about VBACs. Of course I don’t know the specifics of your situation, but it might be worth consulting with a midwife to hear their perspective.