Birth centers

Last updated on: February 4, 2013 at 11:30 am by Sarah Whedon

Birth centers 2013-02-04T11:30:16-05:00 Sarah Whedon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A new study out last week provides evidence for the safety of midwifery care in birth centers. The abstract states:

This study demonstrates the safety of the midwifery-led birth center model of collaborative care as well as continued low obstetric intervention rates, similar to previous studies of birth center care. These findings are particularly remarkable in an era characterized by increases in obstetric intervention and cesarean birth nationwide

If reading scientific studies isn’t your cup of tea, you might prefer this consumer summary, which says

Expecting families who choose the birth center setting in the U.S. can expect high-quality, family-centered care with a Cesarean rate of approximately 6%.

The publication of this study has inspired midwifery advocates. At Childbirth Connection Amy Romano offers Five Reasons Birth Centers Have Met Their Moment. Citizens For Midwifery issued a call for consumers to support birth centers:

If you already have a birth center in your community:

Support it! Send them love today on Facebook, host a fundraiser, become their champion.

If your community does not have a birth center:

Read the article and the consumer summary and share them on social media.

Host a meeting to gather energy, information, and support.

Learn about birth center regulations in your state and what the potential barriers may be.

Send a copy of the article to local doctors and hospital administrators.

Birth centers operate on the midwifery model of care, and Pagans overwhelmingly want to birth with midwives. According to Kimberly Hedrick’s Pagan Health Survey, “The majority of Pagans would opt for natural childbirth attended by a midwife, with less than 20% saying they would find drugs acceptable for childbirth.”

So how will you use this new information about the quality of care offered by birth centers?

Previous Post

February 2, 2013

I keep vigil...

Next Post

February 5, 2013 Rituals to Honor Miscarriage

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abortion Adoption birth Birth Guardians birth stories breastfeeding Contraception divorce Flash Points From the Editor's Desk grandparenting home infertility marriage menstruation Miscarriage Pagan Families Parenting poetry postpartum pregnancy review ritual sex education Uncategorized Wednesday Wisdom

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many years did Jacob work for Rachel before he married her?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Three Fourteen Twenty Seven