welcome home community birth center
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL IN OUR ORIENTATION FOR WELCOME HOME COMMUNITY BIRTH CENTER.
COMPLETING THIS ORIENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL BIRTH CENTER CLIENTS.
COMPLETING THIS ORIENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL BIRTH CENTER CLIENTS.
What is a birth center?
A birth center is a homelike facility 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 personalized, family-centered care for healthy people before, during and after normal pregnancy, labor and birth.
Freestanding birth centers achieve better outcomes than hospitals on quality measures such as cesarean rate for low risk clients, elective delivery prior to 39 weeks, and breastfeeding.
Birth Centers are a safe option for clients experiencing a healthy pregnancy.
Birth centers use fewer medical interventions than hospitals; this saves health dollars and reduces the risk of complications during and following childbirth.
Birth centers are guided by principles of prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention, and cost effectiveness.
Birth centers provide personalized, family-centered care for healthy people before, during and after normal pregnancy, labor and birth.
Freestanding birth centers achieve better outcomes than hospitals on quality measures such as cesarean rate for low risk clients, elective delivery prior to 39 weeks, and breastfeeding.
Birth Centers are a safe option for clients experiencing a healthy pregnancy.
Birth centers use fewer medical interventions than hospitals; this saves health dollars and reduces the risk of complications during and following childbirth.
What types of services are provided in a birth center?
Prenatal Care
Nutrition and exercise counseling
Routine diagnostic testing including lab work and ultrasounds
Childbirth preparation
Visits lasting an average of 60 minutes
Labor and Birth Care
Continuous support from midwives, student midwives or midwife assistants, and doulas in active labor
Skilled, client-centered healthcare
Specializing in birth without pain medications
Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin as routine
No separation from the newborn
Nitrous Oxide ("Laughing Gas") as needed or desired
Water Birth
A safe and gentle way to welcome a baby
Click here for information on the safety of water immersion in labor and birth specific to birth centers.
Immediate Postpartum Care
Help facilitating breastfeeding
Full newborn exams
Parenting with confidence
Postpartum Care
Combined postpartum and newborn visits at 3 days, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks.
Routine follow-up care with information on family planning, breastfeeding, recovery from birth, and infant health
Appropriate resource referrals to local doctors and complementary providers
Nutrition and exercise counseling
Routine diagnostic testing including lab work and ultrasounds
Childbirth preparation
Visits lasting an average of 60 minutes
Labor and Birth Care
Continuous support from midwives, student midwives or midwife assistants, and doulas in active labor
Skilled, client-centered healthcare
Specializing in birth without pain medications
Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin as routine
No separation from the newborn
Nitrous Oxide ("Laughing Gas") as needed or desired
Water Birth
A safe and gentle way to welcome a baby
Click here for information on the safety of water immersion in labor and birth specific to birth centers.
Immediate Postpartum Care
Help facilitating breastfeeding
Full newborn exams
Parenting with confidence
Postpartum Care
Combined postpartum and newborn visits at 3 days, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks.
Routine follow-up care with information on family planning, breastfeeding, recovery from birth, and infant health
Appropriate resource referrals to local doctors and complementary providers
there are many birth centers in the area.
what is different about yours?
Our freestanding birth center is run by and staffed by a Licensed Midwife who has specific licensure, training, and experience in out-of-hospital birth including home birth. Our model of care, policies, and equipment are very similar (but not identical) to a planned birth at home.
We understand that for many families, birth at home might not be a safe or affordable option due to:
Our birth center also aims to provide care that is specifically accessible to low-income families. Welcome Home Community Birth Center works in partnership with Welcome Home Midwifery Services, Inc. as an education organization to provide safe training opportunities for MEAC-enrolled student midwives. Our experienced, California Medical Board-Licensed Midwives are deeply committed to providing access to community birth for all of Sacramento's families who desire midwifery care.
We understand that for many families, birth at home might not be a safe or affordable option due to:
- Distance from a client's home to their closest hospital
- Distance from a client's home to the closest VBAC-friendly hospital
- A shortage in maternity care providers
- Insurance coverage
- Moving or unstable housing during pregnancy
Our birth center also aims to provide care that is specifically accessible to low-income families. Welcome Home Community Birth Center works in partnership with Welcome Home Midwifery Services, Inc. as an education organization to provide safe training opportunities for MEAC-enrolled student midwives. Our experienced, California Medical Board-Licensed Midwives are deeply committed to providing access to community birth for all of Sacramento's families who desire midwifery care.
What amenities are available for families birthing at welcome home community birth center?
We strive to create a "home-away-from-home" atmosphere that is comfortable, safe, cost-effective, and individualized for each family's needs. Our facility includes...
We absolutely welcome birth doulas and encourage each family to have a doula. We have a volunteer doula program available as well.
- Memory foam beds
- Labor and birth tubs
- A shower
- Private labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum rooms
- Safety and Monitoring Equipment for a Normal Birth
- Please note: Current COVID-19 precautions allow for one adult visitor plus a doula at the birth. Masks are required for all people not in labor. If you have questions about visitors, please e-mail us.
- A nourishment room with microwave, toaster oven, and refrigerator.
- Private, gated entry so your family and belongings can stay safe during this sensitive time
- Easy freeway access and a short drive to Sacramento's hospitals.
We absolutely welcome birth doulas and encourage each family to have a doula. We have a volunteer doula program available as well.
Do you offer water birth?
Yes! Water immersion in a tub is a safe option for nearly all of our clients, and can be a comfortable way to relax and have reduced pain during your labor and birth. It can also be a way to lower your blood pressure, facilitate labor progress, and reduce the likelihood of perineal tears. We make this option available to anyone who wants it.
do you accept insurance?
We accept Medi-Cal. We are contracted with specific Managed Care Medi-Cal plans, so getting all of your care covered might require you to switch your Medi-Cal plan.
Please note that professional fees (the fee for the midwife's care) are billed separately from facility charges (use of the birth center).
Talk with your individual midwife about what your expected expense will be out-of-pocket.
Please note that professional fees (the fee for the midwife's care) are billed separately from facility charges (use of the birth center).
Talk with your individual midwife about what your expected expense will be out-of-pocket.
Should i have a doula or take a childbirth class?
Yes and yes. Our midwives strongly encourage you to choose a doula and enroll in a childbirth class.
Your midwife can direct you to both.
Your midwife can direct you to both.
do you train students?
WHCBC serves as a facility where future midwives and future doulas can receive evidence-based, supervised, and supported experiences as they become skilled care providers. While our programs include students, the participation of students (just as with any other providers) is determined by the client's comfort level and birth plan. For more information, visit Welcome Home Midwifery Services, Inc.
