Basics
An important component of our care is the labor support we provide. Beyond emotional and physical support, our midwives are skilled at problem-solving and can often help birthing women avoid problems by attending to the basics, such as hydration, nutrition, positioning and comfort.

We are experts in natural childbirth, and because we have been with the woman throughout the labor, the transition to birth is calm and peaceful, avoiding the last minute flurry of activity that accompanies hospital birth. The word midwife means "with woman." We embody the philosophy that honors the ability of each woman to have a deep and meaningful relationship with her care provider. We are always grateful for the trust families place in us.

Often families come to the birth center unsure about whether they want to deliver in the birth center or at home. The midwives at the Madison Birth Center believe that birth should be affordable in whatever setting you choose. Each setting offers unique advantages, and the decision about where you feel most comfortable is a personal one.

Whether you choose to deliver in the birth center or at home, you are choosing to support a small, local business by choosing our practice.

Advantages of choosing Madison Birth Center include:

• Certified Nurse-Midwives with an exceptional breadth of skills. We are a wholistic and experienced team, and we hold ourselves and each other to very high standards.
• A midwifery team that is insured by Medical Malpractice coverage.
• A cohesive team of birth assistants, most of whom are nurses, to assist at births. We rarely have students, and when we do, they are here to learn and grow into the role of clinician, not to be birth assistants.
• Nurse-prescribers. Nurse-midwives cannot be prescribers unless they carry Medical Malpractice insurance. Being able to prescribe allows us to offer the highest quality in women’s health and obstetric care.
• The birth center community. Families new and old need support. There is a vibrant community that has grown from and around the Madison Birth Center. As a client here, you’ll meet other like-minded people, and be part of the movement to humanize maternity care locally and across the United States.

Birth at Madison Birth Center
The birth center is a calm and relaxing setting, and is best suited for women and families who desire a warm, home-like environment in a health care facility. Families are invited to create their own environment at the birth center. Bring along music you enjoy, decide what you want to wear, eat what you want and move around freely between the birth room, family room and the outdoors. Use the birth ball, birthing stool, shower or tub in your labor and birth, as you wish.

Waterbirth is an option for Madison Birth Center clients, utilizing our state-of-the-art whirlpool tubs. These birth tubs have grab bars to assist with pushing and position changes, high volume tub fillers, hand-held sprayers and unlimited hot water.

Advantages of the birth center setting for childbirth include increased privacy and control, freedom from hospital routines, and physical and emotional labor support throughout the birth process. Birth center staff attend the family for up to 12 hours after the birth, offering privacy and time to rest as well as breastfeeding support and education. All laundry and cleaning is done by birth center staff.


Homebirth
Birthing in the intimacy of your own home is very empowering. Your providers do the traveling, and are your guests. Women and families who desire a homebirth generally are very comfortable with childbirth and are willing to take the added responsibility of obtaining supplies and organizing extra support from family and friends.

Healthy childbearing women are eligible for home birth if they live within 60 minutes of the Madison Birth Center.

Prenatal care is done at the birth center except for one home visit, usually at about 34 weeks. The home visit is an opportunity for the birth team to find your home, check your supplies and visit with you and your family. A list of birth supplies will be given to you when you register, and the medical supplies are available at the birth center.

Waterbirth is an available option for homebirth clients. You may use your own tub provided it is at least 18 inches deep, or rent/purchase a waterbirth tub (sources available at the birth center). Please be aware that adequate hot water supply can be a limiting factor in the home setting for a comfortable water birth.


Comparison of Birth Settings

	Madison Birth Center	Home	Hospital
Assured you will get your chosen provider?	Yes	Yes	No
Able to move freely in labor	Yes	Yes	Depends
Unrestricted ability to eat and drink?	Yes	Yes	Clear liquids only
Fetal well-being is assessed how?	Doppler or fetoscope	Doppler or fetoscope	Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is common
Choose position in which to give birth?	Yes	Yes	Not usually
Water birth available?	Yes	Yes	Not in Madison WI
Unlimited hot water supply for waterbirth?	Yes	No	N/A
Housekeeping by others?	Yes	No	Yes
Length of postpartum stay	4-8 hours	Midwife stays about 2-4 hours	2 Days
Home visits postpartum	Yes	Yes	No
Breastfeeding support	Yes; Baby-Friendly birth facility	Yes	Depends