What is a Birth Center?
The Birth Center is a homelike facility, existing within a healthcare system with a program of care designed in the wellness model of pregnancy and birth. Birth centers are guided by principles of prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention, and cost effectiveness. Birth centers provide family-centered care for healthy women before, during and after normal pregnancy, labor and birth.
National Association of Childbearing Centers, 1995
A mom relaxes in one of the Birth Suites at Alma Birth Center. |  |
Are Birth Centers Safe?
Low risk women in the hospital were more likely to receive an interventive style of labor and birth management than similar women in birth centers. Neonatal outcomes were...similar, although the incidence of sustained fetal distress, prolapsed cord, and difficulty in establishing respirations were significantly greater in the hospital sample. Hospital care did not offer any advantage...and it was associated with increased intervention. The results of this study provide support for the National Birth Center Study's conclusion that birth centers offer a safe and acceptable alternative for selected pregnant women.
Fullerton and Severino, 1992
Few innovations in health service promise lower cost, greater availability, and a high degree of satisfaction with a comparable degree of safety. The results of this study suggest that modern birth centers can identify women who are low risk for obstetrical complications and can care for them in a way that provides these benefits.
Rooks JP, et al, 1989.
There have been several studies regarding the safety of Birth Centers in recent times. In her book Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities, Henci Goer writes a summary of the significant points of these studies:
~The freestanding birth center is safe providing: 1) women are prescreened for risk, 2) care providers are trained professionals, 3) physician backup is available, 4) rapid transport to the hospital is available and 5) emergency equipment is available on site.
~Birth center care costs substantially less than hospital care.
~Compared to low-risk hospital obstetric patients, women choosing a free-standing birth center are much less likely to undergo any of the common obstetric interventions (which themselves introduce risk). In particular, birth center women were two to three times less likely to undergo cesarean sections.
~Women opting for hospital birth are more likely to have interventions than similar women opting for birth centers even when both groups are cared for by midwives.
~The good outcomes and lower intervention rates among birth center women are not due to intrinsic differences from low-risk hospital counterparts.
Why choose Alma Birth Center for my care?
Our Birth Center is a warm, inviting space to give birth to your baby. We will treat you with respect and kindness throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. Our center combines the privacy and comfort of a homelike setting, with the reassurance and safety of knowing that clinical care and equipment are nearby. We are located in a lovely three-story house centrally located in Portland, Oregon. Our Birth Center has two spacious birthing suites each with its own built-in birthing tub and bathroom. There are many other rooms for visiting family, prenatal care, well-woman gynecology, meeting space for childbirth education and other classes, and a full size kitchen. Our Birth Center is licensed by the State of Oregon.
Thanks to the folks at Old Wives' Tales Restaurant for helping us provide food for the postpartum moms!
Alma Birth Center's Birth Stories
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A first time mom births her baby at the Alma Birth Center.This story includes intimate pictures of birth, please read only if you are comfortable with all the body parts involved. | A dad tells his side of the story about his first son's birth at the Alma Birth Center. | The birth of Jack Henry at the Alma Birth Center. This story includes intimate pictures of birth, please view only if you are comfortable with all the body parts involved. |
Stay tuned for a virtual tour of the birth center.
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~ ALMA Midwifery Service ~ Licensed Birth Center ~ Homebirth ~ Waterbirth ~ ~ Phone 503.233.3001 ~ FAX 503.233.7686 ~ 1608 SE Ankeny St. Portland, OR. 97214 ~ |
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