Who is the Greenhouse Birth Center for?
A free-standing (not in a hospital), independent (not owned or run by a hospital), birth center is for healthy women having normal pregnancies, who want control over their birth environment. Our service is designed for women who want a peaceful, gentle start for their baby's life, and respectful, individualized care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Is is safe?
Yes. Birth Centers have demonstrated superior safety for mothers and babies since 1980. Along with good outcomes, birth centers maintain a national Cesarean Section rate of 4-5% for all women who start their care in the birth center. Hospital rates were 23% nationally and 23.7% in Mid-Michigan (1999 Michigan Hospital Report), and are higher now. All prenatal, birth, and post-partum care is provided by well-prepared and experienced midwives and birth assistants. We maintain a close working relationship with our physicians and local hospitals for follow-through in case of medical need. For more information, please see the Citizens for Midwifery website.

Why do birth centers get such good outcomes?
The focus of midwifery care is in the education, support, and protection of each woman (and family) as she makes her journey through pregnancy, labor, birth, and mothering her baby. When women are prepared, well-nurtured, calm, confident and well-supported, birth works better, breastfeeding works better, recovery is quicker and adjusting to the new family constellation is easier.

But what if something goes wrong?
If a woman develops problems during her pregnancy, labor, birth or postpartum period, we work with our collaborating physicians to get her whatever care, in whatever setting, that will help her and her baby the most. Rarely does an emergency situation arise, even in labor - and if it does, your professional birth team institutes the appropriate emergency measure and transports by ambulance to local hospitals, which are 12 minutes away. There, our collaborating physicians take over medical care, while your midwife remains with you in whatever capacity is appropriate under the circumstances. After your baby's birth and your discharge home, the birth center resumes your follow-up care.

Well, what about PAIN?
Pain in birth is something that most women want help with. Here is how we help you:
Preparation
By learning about the many, many ways women have found to deal with labor pain and make labor do-able (sometimes even blissful -REALLY!) you will be less fearful and much more ready to labor well. Your "Birth Team" (whomever you have chosen of your family and friends to be with you at your baby's birth) will also have ample opportunities to prepare to be helpful. Our Active Birth classes are included in your prenatal care package, but you can also choose to complete the Hypnobabies^tm Home Study Course if you wish. (Please see our Classes page for further details.)
Place
Giving birth in the same place that you've come to for prenatal visits, classes and support groups means that you are in a familiar and comfortable place. You and your support people know where things are and how things work. This makes it much easier for you to relax and labor efficiently.
People
The people who care for you during your labor and birth are the same people who have worked with you for months. We know you and believe in you. We know how you have prepared for birth and can help you do it your way. We will be there with you throughout labor, birth and your immediate recovery period. We will be there to watch over you and your family and to help in whatever way you need.
Privacy and Freedom
When your baby is ready to be born, you will be in a familiar, comfortable place where you make your own rules. You are free to walk, to dance, to rock, to rest; free to sing, to chant, to pray, to moan, to shout, to be silent; free to interact passionately or to retire deeply inside of yourself: to be in the kitchen, the bedroom, the patio or the tub. No unnecessary routines, procedures or interruptions will interfere with your work.
Water
Water - deep, warm water - is a wonderful, natural, SAFE pain reliever. Our big tubs and endless hot water are available for you to use as you wish for labor and/or birth. Water birth is easy on your body, your bottom, and your baby.

What about after the baby is born?
Immediate Care
Our goal is to protect the precious first hours after birth - an optimal time for reassuring your newborn that this world is a good place to be, and for meeting this new little person in peace and quiet. We will do the necessary assessments and exams of you and baby unobtrusively and without separation. After you, your baby and your family have settled down, baby has nursed well, you've had a chance to ask last minute questions, and you are feeling well and confident, you will take your first family trip - to your home. Most families stay about 6 hours after birth.
After you are home
Many families find that this is when they really want some support - and we are still there for you. Your midwife or birth assistant will call you every day to see how you, your baby, and your family are doing. The first and third day after birth (depending on your needs and wishes) we will do home visits to see you. We will check you both over and do the Newborn Screen (PKU test). Care will then continue at your first postpartum office visit at 10 days to 2 weeks. We'll see you again at 6 weeks for your last "official" visit. We are available to you (as during pregnancy) 24 hours a day by phone for questions and/or support. The Mom's groups welcome you as long as you wish to come.

How much does it cost, and what is included?
It costs $3800. That fee covers pregnancy care, labor and birth care, immediate newborn care, newborn screening, and postpartum care until six weeks after your baby is born. It also includes the use of the birth center, basic preparation classes for birth, any required classes and "creative financing" information. It does not include laboratory tests, ultrasound exams, physician or hospital services. Those services are billed to you or your insurance directly from the providers. We take all major credit cards, debit cards, and/or we will work out a financial plan with you. We also have application forms from National City Bank if you wish to consider a bank loan.

Does my insurance cover it?
Most insurances will pay some or all of the fee. If your insurance provider says they do not cover this cost-effective service option, be sure you find out why. The cost of the birth center is 58% of the cost of a normal birth in the hospital in Lansing, and your risk of cesarean section (at a higher cost) is considerably less. Not paying birth centers raises everyone's premiums. We are happy to help you set up a payment plan or figure out financing options, and we'll give you a bill to submit to your insurance shortly after your baby is born. Often, with persistence, you will get reimbursement even when you have been told it is not covered. Any reimbursement will then come directly to you.

The Midwives Model of Care

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle.

Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support.

Minimizing technological interventions.

Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

copyright (c) 1996-2001, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Citizens for Midwifery
1-888-236-4860
P.O. Box 82227
Athens, GA 30606-2227
www.cfmidwifery.org