Testimonial: A Tale of Two Births — Hospital Birth vs. Birth Center

Welcoming a new life into the world is a profound experience. The day your child is born is a day you’ll never forget. You should be confident you’ll have a birth experience that’s comfortable and enjoyable for you and your loved ones.

Many expectant mothers don’t realize they have choices about how and where they give birth to their baby. They think their only option is a planned in-hospital birth when other experiences are available. It’s your birth story, so ultimately, you should feel in control of all the details that lead to your baby’s first breath of life.

Just hours after welcoming her baby boy, Jackson, into the world, Courtlin Criscola shared the stark differences between her natural birth at Columbia Birth Center and her prior hospital experience.

Controlled vs. Empowered

At the hospital, Courtlin felt a lack of control and was powerless.

"Everything felt very formal. I was told, ‘This is what you're going to do,’" she reflected.

At Columbia Birth Center, she found herself in a different situation.

"I was able to communicate what I wanted, and you actually heard me," she shared.

The personalized approach allowed her to navigate the birthing process on her own terms. Even in the middle of her contractions when she could only mumble, she felt understood and respected.

Limited vs. Freedom

One significant difference Courtlin noted was her freedom to move throughout the room. At the hospital, her movement and options were limited because of being hooked up to machines and monitors.

"I was able to move around and get comfortable here," Courtlin noted.

Finding a comfortable position and making spontaneous movements contributed to her feeling of freedom and created a more peaceful environment.

Courtlin never felt pressure to do anything a specific way. At Columbia Birth Center, we guide our clients through the many options available as they actively participate in every decision of their labor and delivery. Courtlin appreciated the collaborative nature of the birthing process at Columbia Birth Center and how supported she felt.

"You only offered suggestions, which I appreciated because my brain wasn't working at its best," she laughed.

Protocols vs. Participation

Though a pregnant mother may go into the hospital with an ideal birth plan, the birth often isn’t at all the experience they imagined. When labor gets too difficult, a mom who hoped for a drug-free birth may opt for pitocin because it’s recommended to speed the process. Or the hospital may suggest an epidural to ease the pain, even if it could slow the progress. Instead of letting the mother participate in options to stay within her birth plan, the hospital recommends their usual practices.

For Courtlin, the most powerful moment of her experience at our birth center was during the final stages of labor. We were there to gently help her every step of the way, but we let her body lead her to do what came naturally. We also encouraged her full participation in the experience.

"When I was pushing Jackson out, my hand was down there, and I helped guide him through," she recounts.

This active participation in the birthing process departed from the more directed role often experienced in hospitals.

"It was such a different, comforting experience," Courtlin said, even as she acknowledged the discomfort inherent in childbirth.

A Resounding 10 Out of 10 Experience

Courtlin rated her experience at Columbia Birth Center a "10 out of 10." It was an experience worth repeating. The difference in the atmosphere, control, and overall empowerment left a marked impression on her.

"It was amazing,” she confidently stated, “and just so different than my hospital experience. I would do it again."

Hear this all in Courtlin’s own words…

Courtlin giving a testimonial for CBC

Courtlin’s account echoes the sentiment of many who have valued the safe, personal, and empowering care provided at Columbia Birth Center. If you’re interested in learning more about us, please reach out. Your health and safety throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth are our priority. We’ll guide you every step of the way and would be honored to celebrate the miracle of childbirth with you.