FAQs

Birth Center Stone Oak has proudly served our local community since two thousand twelve. As a locally owned facility operated by a family, we are deeply committed to offering personalized and compassionate midwifery care to every mother. We know families have choices when looking at pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX, and we stand out by combining traditional midwifery wisdom with modern capabilities. Our highly experienced team consists of licensed and certified professional midwives who are dedicated to guiding you through a safe, natural birth experience. We strive to foster an empowering environment from your very first prenatal visit through your entire postpartum recovery journey.

We offer a fully comprehensive service package designed to provide consistent, superior care throughout your entire journey. When researching pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX, you will find our transparent pricing covers expert prenatal care, continuous labor support, standard newborn screenings, and thorough postpartum checkups. We also provide telehealth virtual visits for your convenience. Beyond medical monitoring, our visits typically run longer than standard appointments, allowing ample time to discuss your nutrition, emotional wellness, and specific preferences. Additionally, clients gain access to comprehensive childbirth education classes and referrals for specialized lactation support to ensure you feel entirely prepared and supported.

Absolutely. We proudly offer specialized waterbirth options in our specially designed, comfortable birth suites. Many expecting mothers who evaluate pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX specifically look for this option because warm water provides incredible natural pain relief and facilitates a gentle transition for the baby. Our licensed midwives are highly trained in safe waterbirth practices and will carefully monitor both you and your baby throughout the process. Whether you choose to labor in the water and deliver on a bed, or complete the entire birth in the tub, we fully support your natural physical rhythms.

Your safety and the health of your baby remain our absolute highest priority at all times. As one of the oldest operating pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX, our facility maintains full licensing, and our midwives are experts in recognizing when medical intervention becomes necessary. While we promote natural movement and holistic coping techniques, we are fully equipped with modern medical capabilities to handle unexpected situations. Should you or your baby require advanced medical attention, we have established protocols for seamless, swift hospital transfer services. We ensure continuity of care and clear communication with medical staff during any necessary hospital transitions.

Yes, we are highly dedicated to making quality midwifery care financially accessible for our community. We understand that evaluating the cost of pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX is a major factor for growing families. That is why we offer completely transparent pricing and flexible monthly payment options to suit your budget. We gladly welcome Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account payments. Additionally, our comprehensive childbirth education classes, which are valued at two hundred dollars, are included complimentary for our clients. We work with you to ensure financial concerns do not prevent you from receiving exceptional care.

We firmly believe that birth is a uniquely personal journey, and your environment should feel completely comfortable and secure. Unlike some other pregnancy centers in San Antonio, TX, we actively encourage our families to select their own birth teams. Whether you want only your partner present or you wish to invite extended family members, a doula, or close friends, we honor your preferences. Our midwives work collaboratively with your chosen support system in our cozy setting. We take ample time to educate you about available options, ensuring your chosen team feels welcomed and involved in your experience.

At BCSO, we typically schedule prenatal appointments every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy, then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter until birth. However, we customize this schedule based on your individual needs and health status. Our appointments are longer than conventional visits, allowing time for thorough assessments, education, and addressing all your questions and concerns.

Our prenatal visits include comprehensive health monitoring (blood pressure, weight, fetal heart tones, fundal height measurements) and discussions about your physical and emotional well-being. We review nutrition, discuss pregnancy progression, address concerns, and provide education about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum preparation. You'll meet with the same midwives throughout your care, building relationships with the team who will attend your birth. Each appointment typically lasts 30-60 minutes, ensuring unhurried, personalized attention.

Yes, we offer standard prenatal laboratory testing and can arrange for ultrasounds when indicated. We discuss all testing options, their benefits and limitations, and respect your choices about which tests you prefer. While we provide evidence-based care that includes appropriate screening, we balance medical monitoring with our philosophy that pregnancy is a natural process. If specialized testing is needed, we coordinate with consulting physicians while continuing to provide your primary prenatal care.

At BCSO, we provide comprehensive pregnancy exams including initial confirmation, regular prenatal check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, fetal heart rate assessments, gestational diabetes screening, Group B strep testing, and various other screenings as appropriate for your specific pregnancy. Our certified midwives perform these tests in a comfortable, supportive environment while fully explaining the purpose and results of each procedure.

The frequency of prenatal exams typically follows a standard schedule that increases as your pregnancy progresses. At BCSO, we generally recommend monthly visits during the first and second trimesters, bi-weekly visits starting around 28-32 weeks, and weekly visits during the final month. However, we personalize this schedule based on your individual health needs, pregnancy history, and any risk factors that may require more frequent monitoring.

At BCSO, the midwives practice under The Texas Midwifery Act, which means we are required by the state of Texas to collect certain labs throughout pregnancy. Our midwives thoroughly discuss the purpose, benefits, and potential risks of each state-required test.  Informed decision-making is the foundation of our practice. We never perform unnecessary testing without your consent. We work with you to create a prenatal care plan that aligns with your preferences while maintaining appropriate required medical oversight. 

BCSO offers numerous natural pain management techniques including hydrotherapy in birth tubs, position changes, massage, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, and the support of experienced midwives. We believe in working with your body's natural processes rather than against them. Our midwives are skilled at suggesting different approaches based on your labor progress and preferences. While we don't provide epidurals or narcotic pain medication, we do have transfer protocols in place if medical pain management becomes necessary.

Safety is our primary concern at BCSO. Our licensed midwives are trained to identify potential complications early. We conduct thorough prenatal screenings to ensure clients are appropriate candidates for birth center birth. During labor, we continuously monitor maternal and fetal well-being. If complications arise, we have established transfer protocols with local hospitals and can coordinate a smooth transition to medical care. Our midwives stay with you throughout any transfer, advocating for your preferences while ensuring you receive necessary medical attention.

Our all-inclusive birth package covers all prenatal visits, the labor and birth experience, immediate postpartum care, and follow-up visits. It also includes prenatal education classes, which would otherwise cost $200. There are no additional fees for facility use, supplies, or standard procedures. We prioritize transparency in our pricing and accept HSA/FSA payments and offer monthly payment plans. Families appreciate knowing exactly what to expect financially, allowing them to focus on preparing for their new arrival rather than worrying about unexpected costs.

Waterbirth offer several benefits including natural pain relief as the warm water helps relax muscles and reduce tension, increased mobility allowing mothers to change positions more easily, potential reduction in perineal tears, and a gentler transition for babies from the amniotic fluid environment to the outside world. Many mothers also report feeling more in control and having a more positive birth experience when using water immersion during labor and delivery.

When conducted properly with trained professionals like our certified midwives at BCSO, waterbirth are considered safe for low-risk pregnancies. Babies do not breathe until they feel air on their face, so they won't inhale water during delivery. Our midwives carefully monitor both mother and baby throughout the process, maintaining appropriate water temperature and ensuring proper techniques are used for delivery. We also have protocols in place for quickly moving to alternative birthing methods if any concerns arise during labor.

Preparation for a waterbirth at our center includes attending prenatal appointments where we'll assess your health and pregnancy to confirm you're a good candidate for waterbirth. We recommend taking our comprehensive childbirth education classes (included for our clients) that cover waterbirth techniques. We'll discuss your birth preferences and create a plan that incorporates water immersion. We encourage you to tour our facility to see the birth tubs and ask questions. Finally, we'll provide guidance on what to bring and what to expect during your waterbirth experience.

Our postpartum care at BCSO includes physical recovery assessments, breastfeeding support, emotional wellness checks, nutritional counseling, postpartum depression screening, and family adjustment support. Our licensed midwives provide personalized care through in-center visits, ensuring continuous support throughout your recovery period. We also offer lactation support with referrals to specialists when needed, all within our all-inclusive service package.

While traditional medical models often limit postpartum check-ups to a single 6-week visit, at BCSO we recognize that additional visits during the first 6 weeks often lead to better outcomes. Our comprehensive postpartum care typically includes one 24-48 hour home visit, a one week visit for first time moms, a two week visit, and a 6 week final visit. We tailor our care schedule to your individual needs, recognizing that physical recovery, emotional adjustment, and breastfeeding support may be different for different mothers.

Yes, the midwives provide postpartum care services to our clients regardless of where they delivered. If you were transferred to a hospital during labor, we will visit you in the hospital the next day. Once you are discharged, we will provide the rest of your postpartum visits at the birth center. We understand that the postpartum period presents unique challenges regardless of birth location, and we're committed to supporting all new mothers through physical recovery, breastfeeding challenges, emotional adjustments, and newborn care education.

At BCSO, our newborn screening tests detect a wide range of conditions including metabolic disorders, hemoglobinopathies, endocrine disorders, cystic fibrosis, critical congenital heart disease, and hearing impairments. These screenings typically involve a small blood sample taken from your baby's heel, a hearing test, and pulse oximetry to check oxygen levels. Our licensed midwives perform these tests with gentle care, ensuring your baby's comfort throughout the process.

Newborn screening at BCSO is typically performed between 24-48 hours after birth, which is the optimal time for accurate results. Follow-up screenings may be recommended at 1-2 weeks of age for certain tests. Results are usually available within 7-14 days, though this can vary depending on the specific tests performed. Our midwives will contact you promptly if any results require follow-up testing or evaluation, and we provide clear guidance on next steps if needed.

Newborn screening is recommended by Texas law for all newborns, as these tests can identify serious conditions before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention. At BCSO, newborn screening is included in our all-inclusive service package. For families using insurance, most plans cover these essential screenings as preventive care. We accept HSA and FSA payments and offer monthly payment plans to make these vital services accessible to all families. Our staff can help verify your coverage and explain any potential costs.