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What are the benefits of using a birth center?

Accredited birth centers provide:

• Relationship.  Midwives build close relationships with their clients.  You know the midwife who will be attending your birth.  In a hospital setting the provider attending your delivery is the on-call midwife.  If it is a large group you may or may not know the provider you will see when you arrive at the hospital.

• A sense of control and involvement. You won't be subjected to any routine medical interventions.
• For example, 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, a midwife or nurse 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 are needed. And after you give birth, no routine policies or procedures require you to be separated from your baby. All of his or her examinations take place next to you.

• A network of services Accredited birth centers have arrangements with laboratories for prenatal screening and other testing, with specialists for consultations if necessary. They're also connected with obstetricians and a nearby hospital in case you need to be transferred there during labor, birth, or postpartum.

• Lots of encouragement to have a natural, drug-free birth. The staff is trained to help coach you through labor and committed to helping you have a drug-free natural birth.

• 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 during labor.

• Your pick of invitees. Some hospitals limit how many people you can have at the birth, but at a birth center, you get to decide who's with you. And if you'd like your children to be there, they'll be warmly welcomed.


• Breastfeeding help and encouragement. Birth centers 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. You'll be in a homelike facility and room with a bed large enough for you and your partner to share, and soothing decor.  Most have whirlpool tubs you can chose to labor or deliver in.
• Birth centers have kitchens where you can store or prepare food.

• Lower costs. Because women who deliver in birth centers stay for a shorter time and use fewer interventions, the average cost is about a third to half less than a hospital birth.