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Safety of Birth Center Birth

Writer's picture: Rainier Valley MidwivesRainier Valley Midwives

Introduction

As more expectant parents seek personalized and comfortable birthing experiences, birth centers have gained attention as a viable alternative to traditional hospital births. Research suggests that birth center births can lead to positive outcomes for women and their babies, making them a compelling option for many families. We certainly love births at the birth center and a reminder that in our practice, we fully support hospital births, too! We are taking a moment here to toot the horn of birth center births--so take this for what it is and park the knowledge that beautiful amazing births happen at the hospital too. You can achieve great outcomes there by preparing, bringing a great support team, and working with trusted providers. See the midwife's nugget at this end of this post for more info.



We are publishing this post under our risk 5 for Friday topic because outcomes, safety, and satisfaction all play a role in risk assessment as parents choose place of birth.


Here are some topics that are commonly discussed in our Meet and Greet/Q&A sessions, and lend to families choosing a birth center birth:


Positive Outcomes in Birth Centers

Studies show that women receiving care in birth centers experience higher rates of spontaneous vaginal births and better perineal integrity compared to those in hospitals. Additionally, cesarean rates are lower among women planning for birth center care. This may be attributed to the supportive environment that birth centers provide, encouraging natural labor, having less external pressure about how long labor can take while still being completely normal, and reducing interventions.


Understanding Transfer Rates

Transfer rates from birth centers to hospitals can vary, often making comparisons difficult. Transfer rates can range from 11.6% to 37.4% during labor. Notably, first-time mothers tend to have higher transfer rates than those who have given birth before. Being aware of these statistics can help prospective parents prepare for their birthing journey.


Maternal Safety and Satisfaction

Importantly, severe maternal outcomes are rare, with no maternal deaths reported in studies evaluating birth center births. Women consistently express high satisfaction levels with the personalized, comprehensive care provided by birth centers, highlighting the benefits of individualized support during labor and delivery.


Birth center births offer a safe and satisfying option for expectant parents seeking a more personalized birthing experience. With positive outcomes and a focus on supportive care, birth centers provide an empowering environment for labor and delivery. Thorough preparation and open discussions with your midwives can ensure that families make informed decisions that align with their values and preferences.


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Rainier Valley Birth & Health Center is in compliance with all WA State COVID-19 regulations.

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Seattle Clinic: 4704 S. Mead St. Seattle, WA 98118
Renton Birth Center:
 4300 Talbot Rd S #402 Renton, WA 98055
Phone
(425) 600-2582 Fax: 833-434-1353  |  hello@myrvcc.org

©2017 South Seattle Women's Health Foundation. All Rights Reserved. DBA Rainier Valley Community Clinic, Rainier Valley Midwives,
Delivering Babies at Rainier Valley Birth & Health Center.
SSWHF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 47-3348689.

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