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CONSTRUCTION! Additional questions and answers will be posted on
an ongoing basis;
please feel free to submit your questions to us in the meantime.*
What do midwives do?
Midwives care for pregnant women before, during and after birth. They
promote natural, healthy birth and care. They still perform medical
procedures such as blood tests and fetal heart tone monitoring in order
to help insure a success delivery.
What about pain management and comfort measures?
There are many ways to deal with pain management in labor. Some of the
most effective and safest methods are those used routinely in birth
centers. Many research studies have shown these to be very effective:
continuous labor support by a caring, knowledgable person; movement and
position changes; touch and massage; acupuncture or acupressure;
childbirth education; water baths; hypnosis; aromatherapy; music; and
patterned breathing and relaxation techniques. There are other methods
of pain relief used mainly in hospitals, because they involve more risk
to mothers and babies. These include epidural or spinal anesthesia and
narcotic medications. The methods of pain relief used in Birth Center
of Gainesville are very safe to mother and baby, and helpful in the
management of labor pain.
What happens if there is an emergency?
The safety of our clients and babies is paramount. Our goal is a
healthy mom and baby. We work in collaboration with the healthcare
providers within the community in order to provide healthy outcomes.
Low risk, healthy women deliver at the Birth Center of Gainesville. Our
midwives attend to laboring women throughout the entire duration of her
labor and birth, monitoring both her and her baby very closely. Most
births remain low risk throughout. The midwives work with Obstetricians
who accept transfers to the hospital whenever necessary. Our midwives
are extrememly well trained in emergency procedures and are able to
handle most situations. When a transfer is necessary, the midwife
always accompanies you and your loved ones to the back-up hospital and
OB care.
Do you provide lactation support?
We are proud to have a nearly 100% initiation rate for breastfeeding.
Our midwives are very knowledgeable about breastfeeding, and education
and support are provided to clients during pregnancy and the postpartum
period. In addition, the Birth Center has on staff a full-time board certified lactation consultant
with more than 20 years of experience. A breastfeeding class is offered
as part of the Childbirth Education series, as well as specialty class
offerings for breastfeeding mothers. Individual consultations and
telephone counseling are available as needed to help our moms and
babies enjoy successful breastfeeding experiences.
Can we bring the baby for a well-baby checkup?
We do not care for newborn babies like pediatricians do. Immediately
after birth, our midwives examine the baby to determine his or her
size, weight, breathing abilities, and general health and appearance,
however, you must visit with your pediatrician within 48 hours of
birth. We do offer a weekly mom's support group to help mothers
and babies, and our postpartum care includes mom and baby. We are
always here for questions before or after birth.
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