94 Locust Avenue Danbury CT 06810
Ph: 203.748.6000
1. What is a Freestanding
Birth Center?
A freestanding birth center is a
homelike, out-of- hospital facility where a woman's choices in
pregnancy and birth are supported and respected. This birth
center meets all local, state, and federal health, fire and safety
regulations and is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Health.
Women can feel safe and secure in the fact that midwives and consulting
physicians work together as part of a unified system of quality
healthcare. Most of all a birth center provides a program of care
that gives a woman confidence in her ability to give birth, balancing
her need for human touch and companionship with her potential
need for technology and medical intervention.
2. What is the difference
between a freestanding birth center and a hospital birth center?
The major difference between freestanding
birth centers and hospital birth centers is that hospitals create
policies to care for people who are sick, while freestanding birth
centers design programs for healthy pregnant women. Also, freestanding
birth centers are based on the midwifery model of care which approaches
pregnancy and birth as a normal family event until proven otherwise. Freestanding birth centers offer the personal yet comprehensive care that every expectant mother and her family deserve.
3. What is the cost
for giving birth at the Connecticut Childbirth & Women's Center?
The total fee for prenatal care,
birthing, and postpartum care at the Connecticut Childbirth &
Women's Center is $4,200. This includes a midwifery professional
fee of $2,200 and a $2000 fee for the use of the birth center.
The professional fee includes:
-24-hour
availability of the nurse-midwife/physician team.
-Prenatal care.
-Labor and birth care.
-Newborn assessment.
-One and six week postpartum office visit.
The Facility fee includes:
-Orientation.
Early pregnancy education classes.
-Labor
and birth supplies.
-Support
and care by a registered nurse in addition to the nurse-midwife.
-Use
of the center's facilities from admission to discharge.
-Availability
of consultation with an attending obstetrician and neonatologist.
-24-hour
postpartum home visit.
4. How soon after
the birth do the mother and newborn go home?
Providing that no complications arise,
women may remain at the birth center for up to 12 hours after
giving birth, or for a total stay of up to 24 hours. However,
most mothers choose to go home between 4 and 8 hours after the
birth.
5. What if an emergency
happens and I or my baby needs to go to the hospital?
In the unlikely event of an emergency,
Connecticut Childbirth and Women's Center is directly across the
street from Danbury Hospital. We are also equipped with all routine
emergency equipment. The nurse-midwives are trained to treat birthing
mothers and their newborns until the ambulance arrives. In
addition, the birth center has a transfer agreement with Danbury
Hospital and an agreement with the local ambulance company to
transport the mother and/or her newborn immediately to the hospital.
The midwives have privileges at Danbury Hospital, thereby allowing
them to continue caring their birthing clients in the event of
hospital transfer.
6. What is a certified
nurse-midwife?
A certified nurse-midwife is educated
and licensed in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery. She
must pass a national certification examination given by the American
College of Nurse-Midwives and must meet strict requirements set
forth by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. She
provides comprehensive care in all aspects women's health. This
includes low-risk maternity care, attendance at births, postpartum
care, contraceptive counseling, screening and treatment of routine
gynecological problems, history and physicals, as well as perimenopausal
and postmenopausal consultation.
7. Is the Connecticut
Childbirth & Women's Center certified by the National Association
of Childbearing Centers (NACC) or other such national organization?
Yes. The Connecticut Childbirth
& Women's Center is one of only approximately 50 birth centers
in the United States accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation
of Childbirth Centers, an arm of the National Association of Childbearing
Centers (NACC). The birth center adheres strictly to all
NACC guidelines and is based on the midwifery model of care. The
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) has also completed a thorough evaluation. We were granted
full accreditation in August 1998.
8. How do I find
out more about the Connecticut Childbirth & Women's Center?
Feel free to contact us at any time. Tours
are available on a regular basis, as well as initial consultations
with the midwives at no cost. We also plan an official "Open House"
with refreshments every three months.