Question 1

What is a Freestanding Birth Center?

Accepted Answer

A freestanding birth center is a healthcare facility designed to provide low-risk maternity care in a home-like environment. New Birth Wellness Center is staffed by Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives who are licensed in Minnesota and experienced in supporting natural, unmedicated childbirth. The center features low lights, birth tubs, queen beds, and birth slings to help facilitate labor and delivery while midwives encourage rest, food, hydration, and position changes.

Question 2

Who can deliver at New Birth Wellness Center?

Accepted Answer

New Birth Midwifery cares for low-risk expectant families. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancies, and the birth center is designed with the family in mind. The team focuses on developing relationships with clients and providing advice and care to achieve the healthiest pregnancy and birth possible. If you have questions about whether you qualify as low risk, schedule a tour to discuss your specific situation.

Question 3

Do I get to choose my midwife from your team?

Accepted Answer

New Birth uses a team-based approach to care. There are 5 midwives you will get to know well in preparation for your birth. The team does births in pairs, with one primary care provider and an assistant trained in NRP and CPR. Midwives work 24-hour call shifts, often 1-3 shifts in a row, which provides continuity of care while preventing burnout. You will see all midwives throughout your pregnancy in clinic, and the charting system and birth plan notes keep everyone in sync with your wishes.

Question 4

What is the difference between types of midwives?

Accepted Answer

There are two broad categories of midwives in the US. Nurse midwives (CNM) receive their training primarily in hospitals and mostly attend hospital births. Direct-entry midwives primarily practice in out-of-hospital settings. Among direct-entry midwives, some are certified (Certified Professional Midwives or CPMs), some are licensed by their state (LMs or LTMs), and some choose not to be certified or licensed. In Minnesota, licensure is currently optional.

Question 5

When will the midwives and laboring parent meet at the birth center?

Accepted Answer

During prenatal appointments, midwives explain how to recognize the difference between pre-labor and labor and when to call. Clients have direct access to midwives who provide advice for early labor and discuss together when it's time to meet at the birth center. The team provides tools to keep clients comfortable at home during early labor and aims for arrival at the birth center during active labor so the client doesn't feel like a watched pot.

Question 6

What emergency equipment do you carry?

Accepted Answer

Birth centers are not mini-hospitals. Labor is never induced or stimulated with oxytocin (Pitocin), and C-sections and instrumental deliveries are not performed at birth centers. Baby is monitored with a waterproof doppler and one-on-one support from your midwife rather than electronic fetal monitors. Birth centers are equipped with IVs, oxygen, medication, and infant resuscitation equipment along with non-allopathic options and trained providers to keep both clients and babies safe.

Question 7

What happens if things get complicated at a birth?

Accepted Answer

Midwives check on you and your baby's wellbeing at every prenatal visit. If you are healthy during pregnancy, you should be able to have a normal, uncomplicated birth. Midwives are trained to recognize signs of complications and carry supplies for handling common childbirth complications including hemorrhage, cord around the neck, and shoulder dystocia. Transport plans to hospital are discussed prenatally. The birth center is 8 miles from one major hospital and 11 miles from another. When transport is necessary, midwives accompany you and help you get settled with new providers. Most transports are non-emergencies using private cars; emergencies use 911 and ambulance.

Question 8

Who can be on my birth team?

Accepted Answer

You are in charge of your birth team. Midwives help you plan the support that will be right for you during prenatals, encouraging you to bring only people who will give you strength and encouragement. Families are encouraged to hire doulas, birth photographers, and bring supportive family members. Midwives serve as a sounding board for creating your team and are skilled at reading the room and clearing it when needed to reset energy. Family members are welcome at prenatal visits to meet the midwives and be prepared.

Question 9

Are there birthing tubs and can I have a water birth?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New Birth Wellness Center has beautiful oversized tubs in both birth rooms designed by midwives and created by the same company that makes Birth Pool In A Box pools, which the practice has used for years in home birth. Water labor and water births are encouraged for the amazing pain relief and relaxation offered by warm water.

Question 10

Can I have an epidural or other pain relieving drugs during labor at the birth center?

Accepted Answer

No. Although some people feel they may not be able to finish without help, they often don't realize the power of the body to achieve the job of birthing a baby. A healthy body, good support, and natural coping techniques are discussed and encouraged throughout prenatal care. By term, clients develop confidence through preparation. During labor, the team works together to encourage, nurture, and support you with one-on-one care. Having someone who knows you through pregnancy is key to coping. Your reward is holding a beautifully alert, drug-free baby and knowing you gave your baby the very best start.

Question 11

Is New Birth Wellness Center in network with insurance?

Accepted Answer

Not yet, but New Birth is actively working on this. The practice is pursuing in-network agreements with Health Partners, BCBS, Medical Assistance, and Preferred One. Currently, insurance is billed at out-of-network rates through an experienced midwifery billing specialist. Medical cost sharing groups such as Samaritan Ministries and Christian Medi-Share are also accepted. Visit the billing page for more information on payment options.

Question 12

Do you provide care for my new baby or do I need to see a pediatrician shortly after birth?

Accepted Answer

New Birth specializes in the care of normal, healthy newborns and provides regular care for the first few weeks of your baby's life. However, it is a good idea to have a care provider (family practice or pediatrician) set up ahead of time in case your baby needs additional assessment or care in those first few weeks. The midwives perform all newborn screenings normally done in hospitals including the bloodspot screen, CCHD, and hearing screen.

Question 13

How long do birthing families stay at the birth center after delivery?

Accepted Answer

This is a significant difference between community birth and hospital birth. Because it's not a hospital, families don't stay as long. The main reason is that families are healthy and prefer to get home while energy is still high, sleep in their own beds, and have midwives visit them at home for the first week postpartum. Families typically stay only 2-4 hours after delivery as long as both mom and baby are stable. During this time, midwives complete a full newborn exam, ensure feeding is going well, confirm mom has eaten, hydrated, and emptied her bladder, and verify bleeding is controlled. While this may seem brief at first, sleeping uninterrupted at home with only your baby to wake you is a gift when everyone is healthy and strong.

Isabelle Hinkle

Midwife