Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about natural childbirth, midwifery, and other related topics. If you can’t find an answer to your question please don’t hesitate to ask using our contact form.
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Midwives are the traditional care providers for mothers and infants. Midwives are trained professionals with expertise and skills in supporting women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. Midwives provide women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs.
There are two types of midwives that may legally practice in the state of Texas: Licensed Midwives (LM) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). Some LMs may also be Certified Professional Midwives (CPM).
Licensed Midwives are skilled professionals in normal pregnancy and childbirth. They may independently manage women’s health care services relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They also provide normal newborn care for up to six weeks of age. Licensed Midwives attend women in out of hospital births.
Certified Professional Midwives are knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioners who have met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and are qualified to provide the Midwifery Model of Care.
A good candidate is a low-risk pregnant woman looking to experience a natural out of hospital delivery. The majority of women are low-risk, which opens up the doors to non-traditional maternity care. Midwives are trained to be the “experts of normal” and are quick to realize if you have stepped outside those bounds during your pregnancy.
Birth Center Stone Oak’s philosophy of care supports the birthing families’ choices and desires for their birth. Using our Birth Center offers many options in your labor and birth process. Some of the benefits available to you include: availability and encouragement to eat and drink during labor; family based experience with family involvement welcome; laboring in a spacious soaking tub with the option of a water birth; flexibility in positions for labor and birth; and a comfortable setting where your choices are respected.
According to Henci Goer in Obstetrical Myths Versus Research Realities (A Guide to the Medical Literature), “…Birth center studies also uniformly report much lower rates of … interventions,” with “studies uniformly reporting outcomes equivalent or superior to those of comparable women giving birth in a hospital setting.”
Additional benefits available to you are our vast education resources, which include childbirth classes, breastfeeding, and infant care to name a few.
Water has long been acknowledged as a comforting place to be during times of physical discomfort as well as giving one a feeling of “weightlessness.” During labor and birth, both mom and baby feel the support of the water and enjoy its ease. During birth, the differential pressure between inside the uterus and outside the uterus is balanced by mom’s tummy being submerged in water. The reduced pressure makes birth gentler for both mom and baby. As a baby’s head emerges, the glottis (back of the baby’s throat) automatically closes so no water enters and then when the baby’s face comes in contact with the air, baby breathes.
For more information, visit www.waterbirth.org.
It is very common to begin care with another provider and realize that the Birth Center may be a better fit. Transfer of your care, which will include records from your previous provider, will assist in a seamless transition. If you have any questions we’d be happy to schedule a time to meet with you to discuss them.
Midwives are licensed healthcare providers in the state of Texas and can provide prenatal, birth, postpartum and newborn care for you and your baby without needing additional care by other healthcare providers.
VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) can be an option for women. It is important to know the reason for the c-section and to know how the surgery was performed. Empowering yourself with information can expand your options. An informative site to visit is www.ican-online.org, which is an online resource for moms considering a vaginal birth after a c-section.
We have access to a vast supply of natural resources that can give parents the information they are looking for to help with the life situation they are going through. Please contact us for information.
First of all, don’t believe everything you see on TV. Natural labor is much less traumatic! Besides the difference in the intensity of labor with and without pitocin, women are often surprised at their strength and how capable they can be of dealing effectively with the discomfort of labor in a supportive environment. During labors overseen by a midwife, women are encouraged to: stay nourished and hydrated, remain active by walking and changing positions, and use hydrotherapy (tub or shower). Most importantly, women are given space to birth in her own way and choice.
Our midwives realize that many people have a lot of fears concerning birth. Honestly, many of the interventions commonly used in hospitals have side effects that result in more interventions. Most of the time, birth is perfectly safe and few interventions are needed; however, when a birth related situation requires attention our skilled midwives are the best in the industry. Emergencies can present themselves in any birth location, both in and out of hospital. Our experience has proven that fewer emergencies happen with less intervention, such as induction with pitocin and epidurals.
In the case of a mom bleeding too much after birth, midwives are trained to administer herbs, medication and IV fluids to ease the bleeding. If the baby has breathing issues, midwives are required, through their licensure, to be certified in neonatal resuscitation and therefore are qualified to aid the baby if this situation arises. Midwives also have oxygen available at every birth. If a transfer due to preterm labor occurs, a midwife will ensure a smooth transfer to your hospital of choice and will support you through the process. If any other situation arises in which a hospital transfer is necessary or requested by the client, a midwife or birth attendant will accompany the client to the hospital to transfer care.
In many cases our Birth Center charges are less than out of pocket expenses associated with insurance deductibles and copays. We have affordable payment plans as well. It’s worth a call to get the information.
We accept most major health insurances. Our biller will help to verify benefits if you have any questions.
Yes! We accept payment from/through your Health Savings Account.
Women that have delivered at the Birth Center love to talk about their births! Give us a call at 210-481-7549 so we can provide you their contact information. Or you can check out our testimonial page.