Why choose an out-of-hospital birth with midwives?

Pregnancy and birth are natural and normal processes for healthy women and a  
  midwife trusts the birth process and affirms each woman’s ability to give birth.
Mothers have an increased sense of control and empowerment.
• Mothers receive personalized and holistic care.
• There are fewer medical interventions.
• Midwives have an excellent record of safety with numerous studies associating     
  midwifery care with excellent outcomes.
• Midwifery care offers choice of birth places.
• Midwives encourage family participation and provide continuous support during labor and birth.

Is care with a midwife safe?

Research shows that using a midwife and having; a homebirth or birthcenter birth is as safe if not safer
than using a physician/hospital. Midwives have much lower rates of intervention, therefore they have
fewer complications. Research also shows that women who use a midwife are more satisfied with their
birth experience. We encourage you to search for information related to the safety of midwifery,
you will a wealth of information on the web.

How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for a birth center?

Midwives are experts in caring for women with low-risk pregnancies; you can start by calling the birth center and talking to one our midwives about your health history. They’ll ask you, for example, whether you have certain pre-existing medical problems (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) or if you’ve had a cesarean delivery or some other invasive uterine surgery. If you don’t have any significant risk factors that would require a hospital birth, then chances are you are a great candidate for midwifery care. During your initial interview we will do a more through health history before you make your decision.  At your first prenatal visit, a midwife will take an extensive health history, perform a complete physical exam, and order the necessary laboratory work. Risk assessments are on going to help ensure that you are still a good candidate for midwifery care.

If at any time during your pregnancy, your practitioner determines that it would be safer for you to give birth in a hospital; you’ll be referred or transferred. This would be the case if, for example, you go into premature labor, or you develop preeclampsia. In some cases you may also need to change caregivers.

What birth circumstances require transfer to a hospital?

Close to 100% of our first time mothers deliver successfully with MWMS. Women who have birthed vaginally in the past have an extremely low rate of transport. We work closely with you during the pregnancy to prevent complications, occasionally situations do come up that require hospital transport.

There could be several reasons for a mother to need to go to the hospital…. If a baby is not doing well, any abnormal bleeding, or if a baby is in a position making it difficult to get born. The most common reason for transport during labor is slow progress and/or fatigue. Our midwives are extremely experienced at using age-old techniques to promote progress and support the mother. Since we also have the physician backup, we can use emergency drugs, IVs, oxygen and other supplies to assist with difficult deliveries, but if the hospital is required, we can easily transport. We never compromise the health and safety of the mother.

What if something goes wrong?

The midwives at Motherly Way Maternity Services have expertise in many challenging birth situations.
However, if it becomes necessary, transport to the hospital is easily arranged with private car or ambulance,
depending on the mother’s preference and the situation.

Is water birth an option at MWMS?

Water birth is a favorite option of ours! Water has a natural relaxing effect and is great for dealing with labor.
We have more information for those curious about this option.

Who can attend my birth?

In addition to your midwives, you can select anyone you wish to support you during your labor and birth.
At MWMS, we are committed to providing a warm, calm and nurturing environment for mothers as they labor
and in the important first moments of bonding with their newborns – choose support persons who understand
what is important to you during this special time.

Our waiting area is available for family and friends to relax outside of your birthing room, allowing them
to share the experience.

How long will we stay at the birthing center afterwards?

The birthing center is an outpatient facility, so unlike a hospital, mothers stay for 6-8 hours after the birth.
During that time, your midwife will monitor the mother’s and baby’s well-being and provide postpartum
instructions and breastfeeding support. MWMS offers frequent postpartum follow-up visits by phone,
in your home, and here at the office. 

How much does it cost?

MWMS is many, many times less expensive than a hospital/doctor delivery.
We have an affordable self pay plan and work with most major insurance
companies. Please feel free to call our office to see if your insurance is accepted
and discuss payment plans.

What are the benefits of using a birth center?

• A sense of control and involvement. Birth centers never routinely use interventions. You won’t automatically be hooked up to an IV. And instead of continuous electronic fetal monitoring, which often requires you to stay in bed with a belt strapped around your middle, we will monitor your baby’s heartbeat intermittently with a handheld Doppler (like the one your caregiver uses during prenatal visits). IVs, oxygen, medication, and infant resuscitation equipment are available in case they’re needed. And after you give birth, no routine policies or procedures require you to be separated from your baby. All examinations take place in your room.

• Lots of encouragement to have a drug-free birth. Midwives are trained to help coach you through labor and we are committed to helping you have a drug-free birth. We use many coping techniques and years of experience to help you reach this goal.

• Freedom of movement and more. You can move around freely, choose the position you’d like to be in for labor and birth, and eat and drink anything you choose during labor.

• Breastfeeding help and encouragement. Midwives make it a priority to provide breastfeeding education and support during the prenatal period, for the duration of your stay after you give birth, and in the postpartum period.

• A warm and comfortable physical environment. Our birth rooms look much like a Bed and Breakfast. Clients are welcome to bring music and candles from home or we can provide these. Coming to the birth center for your prenatal care helps you get familiar with your surroundings and feel fully “at home” in the birth center.

• Speedier checkout.