Services
The Birthing Experience
When labor starts, the mother contacts the midwife on call at her facility. Upon admission, the family settles into their choice of available birth rooms.
Overall Birth Plan and Process
One of the midwife’s most important roles is to support the mother and family with education about the process of birth. She carefully evaluates the mother’s vitals signs and the baby’s heart rate using a handheld doppler throughout labor. A vaginal exam is done with the mother’s permission when checking for progress is appropriate.
Our mothers are active participants in the unfolding of labor and birth. They are encouraged to eat, drink, and change positions often. They may relax in the warm birthing tub or shower, or they may use the birthing stool or birthing ball. Some moms spend periods of time in the bed, quietly relaxing through contractions and resting their muscles and/or receiving a massage from their partner.
Some Have Additional Support During the Birthing Process
Well-prepared family members offer additional support to the laboring woman or gather in our Family Lounge, watching movies, cooking, or just staying close in order to greet the new baby.
Our midwives deliver in many different positions with the goal of facilitating the birth and preventing the need for stitches. The midwife is aided in the birth by a highly-trained assistant who normally arrives just before the second stage (pushing phase) of labor.
Bonding is an Essential Part of the Birth Plan
Upon delivery, the new baby is placed on the mother’s chest for warmth and for bonding. There is no rush to cut the cord or to hurry the baby out of the room for procedures. All the emergency equipment for the baby is in the birth room next to the mother. A complete newborn exam is performed along with basic newborn care.
There are many supportive classes for before and after the birth.
Centering Pregnancy
Centering Pregnancy is prenatal care that includes your regular health check-up with additional time for learning and sharing. Groups start after the first trimester. You’ll meet with your healthcare provider and other women who are due near the same time for 10 sessions throughout your pregnancy.
Centering Pregnancy is the way for you to learn and experience your pregnancy with other pregnant women. Each session includes interactive learning that will let you experience your pregnancy in a new and rewarding way.
How Does Centering Pregnancy Work?
You do some of your own care (weight, blood pressure, charting) and have private time with your care provider. There will be group discussion and activities. In Centering Pregnancy, women are actively participating in their prenatal care – such as keeping track of their weight and blood pressure. Participants then meet one on one with a midwife for a quick assessment before returning to the circle for discussion. The discussions are group-led. This means everyone in the group has a safe place to voice their experiences, opinions and support. Studies show we learn best through discussion with others – and this is exactly what Centering is hoping to accomplish! One of the goals of Centering is that participants feel confident in making their own decisions about labor, birth, breastfeeding and parenting; they gain this confidence through interactive learning with their group. Snacks are provided and there is time for sharing with other group members in a relaxed and fun setting.
Who is in the group?
As the months go by, you will get to know other mothers due around the same time. Partners and support people are welcome to attend. We often hear from parents that the partners felt more included in the pregnancy journey because they attended Centering. It’s a bond of friendship that can last a lifetime.
How much time does centering pregnancy take?
Centering® respects your time – groups start and end on time. Each group visit lasts about 2 hours with your healthcare provider guiding the session. Scheduling in advance makes planning for work and childcare easier.
It’s better care! Look at the results:
- Women tell us they prefer getting prenatal care in a Centering group
- Women in Centering groups are less likely to have a preterm baby.
- Women feel more confident to make healthy decisions for themself and their family
- Centering moms have higher breastfeeding rates; healthier for mom and baby
- Women say: “It’s fun!”
See for yourself!
TWC News in Austin visited one of our Centering Pregnancy groups in action. Take a first-hand look at the level of care and support provided by Centering Pregnancy.
“I liked how we were going through the same issues and discussed different methods or ways we approach them.”
“People would come to the group tired, anxious, worried and every single time, without fail, everyone left happy, laughing, lighter.”
“It’s not significantly longer than an individual appointment, but it provides food and friends… There have been a lot of questions raised that I have not thought to ask, so that’s also helpful.”
“Pregnancy can be very isolating and foreign and scary; Centering gives us a way to connect with other women who are going through the same things/time in life and say, ‘Yeah, I’m right there with you, you’re not alone in this.’”
Water Birth
Austin Area Birthing Center’s birthing suites are designed to provide you with a birthing experience that is natural, safe and as comfortable as possible. In addition to beds and birthing stools, we offer mothers the option of a water birth. A water birth often helps to reduce the pain and stress of labor, leading to an easier natural birth. Water birth during the first stages of labor has been shown to reduce the risk of episiotomy, as well as the need for epidurals. Other positives associated with water birth include a reduced risk of c-section, as well as better bladder control after delivery.
Austin Area Birthing Center’s master Midwives have years of experience performing safe water birth deliveries. Like our suites, our birthing tubs are engineered for safety and comfort. Each is designed specifically for water birth delivery and is capable of delivering a constant flow of warm, soothing water.
Having the freedom to choose a delivery method is a deeply personal decision for mothers. At Austin Area Birthing Center, we seek to provide women with all of the information and as many options as possible. No matter what you choose, our midwives will be here to guide you through the many steps of your pregnancy and labor.
Following the Birth
After the birth, you will be given your baby to hold with an emphasis on skin-to-skin contact. The baby will never leave your room. Newborn examinations, foot-printing, etc. are done beside you on your bed. You will be given as much privacy as you feel you need to touch, cuddle, admire, and inspect your newborn infant. This is a wonderful time to take photos or video.
Postpartum Care
You will be assisted with breast-feeding and given important postpartum instructions. The majority of our clients return home within 6 – 8 hours of delivery.
The midwife will phone within 24-36 hours from discharge with an important check list of questions.
The Lactation Consultant or a Midwife will see you and baby for an in-office exam at least once within the first three days. You are welcome to complement our baby care with visits to a Pediatrician at any time. We will also have an in-office exam for mother and baby at two weeks and six weeks after the birth.
Stay in touch with us after your birth with a wide range of classes including our low cost baby massage (Baby Love) and Postnatal Yoga class.
Wellness Care
Family Planning/Contraception
We provide complete contraceptive counseling and care, including the following options:
- Birth control pills
- Nuva Ring
- Patch
- Intrauterine device (IUD), including Paragard, Mirena, Skyla, and Kyleena
- Nexplanon
- Counseling on barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragm
- Education on natural family planning and fertility awareness methods, including referrals to expert teachers in our area
Annual Wellness Exams
Our certified nurse midwives provide annual exams from puberty through menopause with a focus on wellness and individualized care. We provide routine physical exams, labs, and pap tests.
Preconception Counseling
Whether you and your partner are planning on getting pregnant soon or actively trying to conceive, Austin Area Birthing Center’s Preconception Counseling will help you prepare your body for pregnancy. Our experienced nurse midwives will discuss your pregnancy calendar and how to best prepare for pregnancy with a strong focus on healthy lifestyle and nutrition.
Austin Area Birthing Center accepts most health insurance and also offers affordable out-of-pocket payment plans.