Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Can anyone have a baby at Birth & Women's Center?

A) If you're healthy and have no chronic medical problems such as heart disease or diabetes, you will probably be eligible for a Birth Center delivery. You'll be carefully screened on your first visit and continuously evaluated throughout the pregnancy to promote a safe and satisfying birth experience. A Birth Center delivery is an option only for families with uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies, labors, and births.

Q) Is it safe to have a baby at the Birth Center?

A) Yes. A recent study of over 11,000 women published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that birth centers provide a safe alternative to hospital childbirth for healthy women with normal pregnancies.

Q) How much does it cost to have a baby at the Birth Center?

A) Having a baby at the Birth Center costs much less than a delivery in a hospital setting. The Birth Center fees include prenatal care, management during labor and delivery, postpartum care (including one home visit 48 hours after delivery) and two and six-week check-ups. In case of a hospital transfer, which happens in less than 10 percent of our clients, we will charge our professional fee and adjust the Birth Center fee.

Q) Will my insurance cover Birth Center fees?

A) Most health insurances now reimburse for deliveries at freestanding birth centers. Check with your insurance company about coverage, or contact our office and we'll help you obtain the necessary information. The Birth Center also accepts Medicaid and Premier Blue.

Q) Do I have to lie on my back during labor and birth?

A) No. Our staff will encourage you to find the position most comfortable for you. You may lie on your side, kneel, squat, stand or be on your hands and knees. Birth is a highly individual experience and we encourage women to do whatever will make them most comfortable during labor and birth. This may include walking around, relaxing in our bathtub or shower, sitting in a chair, lying in bed, or whatever helps you maintain a maximum level of relaxation. Throughout your labor, we'll encourage you to drink liquids such as fruit juices or water to keep your body well hydrated. Instead of using electronic fetal monitors, which must be strapped onto your belly, we listen to your baby's heartbeat with a special electronic stehoscope ("Doppler") so that you may move about.

Q) What are your policies on episiotomies, intravenous fluids and newborn treatment?

A) We don't routinely perform episiotomies (surgical enlargements of the vaginal opening.) We are qualified to do episiotomies and do them when necessary. We often use perineal massage to increase stretching without tearing. The episiotomy rate at the Birth Center is less than five percent. We encourage women to drink plenty of fluid during labor but if you are unable to drink enough, we have intravenous fluids available to prevent dehydration. We will provide you with information regarding the State of Kansas' requirements for newborns, such as antibiotic ointment for eyes, metabolic screening (PKU) and vitamin K injections. We support your right to make responsible decisions regarding your newborn's care.

Q) Can my baby stay with me after the birth?

A) At the Birth Center, we don't separate babies from their mothers. Families have uninterrupted time immediately following the birth to get to know their new baby. The Birth Center staff is available to answer questions and to teach families about caring for their newest member.

Q) What kind of medical equipment do you have at the Birth Center?

A) We have emergency medical equipment available, including oxygen and suction to aid breathing, heat to keep your baby warm, medication to stop bleeding and equipment to evaluate you and your baby during labor, and postpartum.

Q) What happens if there is an emergency during labor or birth?

A) The staff at the Birth Center is highly qualified to deal effectively with any emergency situation associated with labor and birth. In addition, the Birth Center is just minutes away from two neighboring hospitals that can provide emergency care if needed. If you need to be transferred to one of the hospitals during labor, a member of the staff will remain with you throughout labor and delivery. You'll go in your car or by ambulance, depending on the situation.

Q) What kind of pain relievers are available?

A) Although medication is rarely needed at the Birth Center, we can give you the same medications you would get at the hospital, and if you need stitches, we can give you a local anesthetic. If large amounts of pain relief are required, such as epidural anesthesia, you will be transferred to a hospital.