Pregnancy and labor are both a very special time of life, and it can be made much easier with a personal experience where you get a say in your care every step of the way. If you’re in the Waco, Texas area and looking into a birthing experience outside of the hospital, Waco Birth Center might be the place for you!
About The Waco Birth Center
The Waco Birth Center has been in operation for 6 years since they began taking clients in July of 2016. Their first birth took place in January of 2017, and since then they’ve delivered over 270 babies! They offer classes on childbirth education, newborn care, and breastfeeding to help prepare both new and experienced moms.
Prenatal Care
Your initial visit is scheduled around 8 weeks of gestation, and follow up appointments are very similar to a traditional OBGYN. You’ll have appointments every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then once per week from 36 weeks until you deliver.
During prenatal visits, they take your vital signs, baby’s FHT’s, measure your belly, draw labs, look at the baby on an ultrasound, and do a cervical exam if necessary. Unless absolutely necessary, patients are always allowed to decline cervical exams, ultrasounds, and labs. You can expect prenatal visits to be about 30 minutes so that you have plenty of time to ask any questions you may have, and your birth team can get to know you.
Questions Answered By The Birth Center
During Labor
What problems or complications would mean that mom would have to see a doctor instead of
delivering at the birth center?
Placenta Previa, medication controlled Diabetes, high blood pressure, Pre-eclampsia, preterm labor
(Clients have to be 36 weeks to have their baby here, if they go into labor before then we have to transfer
to hospital per protocol)
At what point during labor will moms come to the birth center?
When contractions are every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute for 1 hour or if your water breaks. We admit you to the birth center in active labor. (4-7cm of dilation)
Do you have any policies that limit the number of people who can be with moms during labor and
birth? Is there an age restriction?
No. We love having younger children and family members be a part of your appointments and your
birth. Family-centered births are welcomed based on the mother’s and children’s comfort level.
What is your usual approach if labor is progressing slowly?
We have a few things we can do. Walking the stairs, massage, pressure points and position changes helps to increase contractions.
What drug-free pain relief options are available at the birth center? (Tub, shower, birthing ball?)
We use hydrotherapy for pain relief because of the buoyancy of the water. We have a birth tub in each
room with detachable shower heads (one of our tubs also has jets which we can turn on, and that can
help with pain as well). We have one stand up shower. We also use birth balls, massage techniques and
freedom of movement.
What complications would require mom to transfer to a hospital during labor?
Failure to progress, maternal exhaustion, cord-prolapse, uterine rupture, uncontrolled postpartum
hemorrhage and retained placenta.
Postpartum Care
What newborn care is offered if a baby is healthy?
3 day newborn exam and a 6 week newborn exam. We also have two lactation consultants at the birth
center named Tonja Carpenter and Laura Jouret with Lactation Services of Waco LLC.
Do you help get breastfeeding off to a good start?
Yes, our midwives are educated in helping mothers breastfeed right away. After the baby is born we like
to do uninterrupted skin-to-skin with mom and baby for an hour. This is called the golden hour. Baby
and mom are bonding while patiently encouraging the baby to latch and start breastfeeding. We also
have two Lactation Consultants on site that accept some Insurances, Medicaid and have great cash-pay
options.
How long is the maximum stay after birth?
4-6 hours
Do you provide follow-up care and support after mom goes home?
We call our patients at 24 hours to check on mom and baby. Both mom and baby will come back to the
birth center at 3 days and 6 weeks for a check-up. If a problem arises we will also see the mother or baby
as needed.
Pricing
Do you accept medicaid?
Yes, we accept Superior Medicaid. We are the only Birth Center in Waco that does!
What is your fee for delivering at the birth center? Do you offer payment plans?
The cash price is $5,000.00. That includes prenatal care, birth, newborn care, and PP care. The Cash
Package does NOT include labs, the normal cost for labs is $703.00. If a situation arises where we have
to do extra lab work we will add that to the base cost. We also require a Reservation Fee of $325.00 due
at 36 weeks that is NOT included in the Cash Package. This fee reserves your midwife and birth
assistant for your birth.
We do offer a payment plan where they can pay monthly on their labs and Cash Package until 36 weeks.
Our contract is located on our website. www.wacobirthcenter.com We accept most Major Insurances,
Healthshares, Superior Medicaid and Cash Paying Clients.
How can someone contact you if they have any questions or want a tour of the birth center?
They can call the office phone number 254-224-6062, or they can go on our website https://wacobirthcenter.com/ and submit a
contact form to us through there.
The Waco Birth Center
In conclusion, using a birth center for your labor and delivery offers more personalized care with a home-like atmosphere and medical professionals available at all times. Furthermore, the ladies at the Waco Birth Center can provide everything from prenatal care to assistance with a water birth, postpartum care, and lactation support.
Are you looking for more motherhood content? Check out my other blogs below! While you’re here, check out my portfolio and let’s chat about maternity and newborn sessions!
