Labor & Birth at Austin Area Birthing Center
If you’re nearing your due date, it’s natural to be a little anxious about labor and birth. It is a life-changing experience. Knowing what to expect on the day of can help calm those nerves a little bit.
Here are some of the most common questions that clients usually ask us regarding labor and birth.
How do I know when to go to the birth center?
All our clients receive instructions beforehand on when to call the birth center. This usually happens during the later part of your prenatal care. When it’s time, you’ll be in contact with the midwife and agree together when it’s time to come to the birth center.
During your pregnancy, if you ever feel like you need help and don’t know what to do, you can reach out to us anytime.
When do I get admitted to the birth center?
We usually admit clients when they are about 4 cm dilated and experiencing regular contractions. Clients with doulas may choose to stay home longer to continue comfort measures at home.
If you live far from the birth center and want to come in earlier just in case, we can always accommodate you.
What should I expect during labor & birth?
We encourage all of our clients to take our classes on unmedicated birth; this will help you get an idea of what a natural birth entails. We tell you about available methods of pain relief and guide you on steps you can take during your pregnancy to ease labor and birth.
Can I try water birth?
Yes, we have tubs designed for water birth in all our birthing suits. You can choose to use it during labor and come out for the birth. Or you can choose to give birth in it.
Around 90% of our patients use the bathtub during labor, and more than 50% give birth in it.
What will be my birth position?
We support your choice of birth position so you can choose to birth in whatever position feels right for you. We recommend our clients do their research on different birthing positions to see which one works best for them. You can also choose to switch positions whenever you want.
What happens after birth?
Once your baby is born, we immediately place them on the mother’s chest to encourage breastfeeding and initiate skin-to-skin contact. As long as the baby is healthy, we try to leave mom and baby uninterrupted during the first ‘golden hour.’
After delivery, while the baby is on your chest, we will:
- Check the baby’s vital signs
- Check mom’s vital signs
- Take care of the placenta
- Monitor mom’s bleeding
New families typically stay for about 6 hours after birth, however, you can choose to stay for more or less time depending on how you feel and how comfortable you are in leaving with your baby.