The Ease Of Necessary Transfers

If you’re considering birth at Columbia Birth Center, it’s probably because you desire a natural birth setting where your chance of cesarean birth and other medical interventions is very low. Our birth center is a perfect choice for anyone who is healthy and low-risk. From start to finish, you’ll receive the personal care and attention you deserve, and your health and safety throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth will always be our number one priority.

But what happens when a medical condition develops which would require you to be transferred to another care provider for a hospital birth?

You And Your Baby Remain Our Top Priority

We understand how difficult it is to plan to have your baby here and then have to shift directions. If that happens to you, we promise to make that transition of care as easy as possible for you.

We have the amenities here on site that can help with minor emergencies or that can stabilize you and your baby should you need to transition to hospital care. If your situation calls for a transfer, or if you should request a transfer, we are here to recommend the best midwives and obstetricians who will continue to support a natural birth while also giving you and your baby the medical care you require. Many of our clients transfer to the Kadlec Hospital midwives to continue their best chance for a vaginal delivery with the fewest interventions.

Because of our proximity to the hospital, we have developed strong relationships with their midwives and have confidence in the continued care they offer our clients. Should an unlikely emergency arise, where time is of the essence, we can transfer a client quickly to the operating room and into the excellent care of the hospital’s medical providers.

What Conditions Require A Transfer?

First, we want to reassure you. If you begin your pregnancy healthy, you will generally have an expected pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the post-mpartum period. Only 30% of our clients need or request a transfer, with only 3% requiring an emergency transfer.

During regular prenatal visits, we conduct thorough screening to ensure that you stay healthy and normal. We also use education and encourage nutrition and exercise to prevent problems. We can manage most of the common pregnancy complications.

Transfers to another care provider are typically due to an unexpected change in your medical status that moves you into a higher-risk category. These conditions may include, but are not limited to:

• Gestational diabetes that is not controlled with diet

• Pre-mature or post-mature delivery

• Pre-eclampsia

• High blood pressure

• Baby’s heart rate drops

• Breech presentation

• Hemorrhage

Columbia Birth Center is committed to following the best practices in maternity care, and we have the proper safety training, equipment, and supplies should the unexpected occur. In most cases, our transfer clients go on to have a vaginal birth.

What About Post-Partum Care After A Transfer?

We’ve earned a reputation for providing thorough and compassionate support for our post-partum clients. You can resume care at Columbia Birth Center even after being discharged from the hospital with post-partum services like 24/7 breastfeeding support, home visits for tests the baby might need, and any other additional support.

Holistic support for our clients through pregnancy, labor, birth, and post-partum is why we do what we do, and we’re happy to play a small part in helping you navigate this life-changing event. The experience is made possible because of people like Karen, who is a part of the Columbia Birth Center family that helps provide exceptional care, and recently put words to her personal experience:

“Although transferring was never my first choice, it definitely was what needed to happen during my birth. My midwife, Jen, was absolutely amazing and made sure that everything went as smoothly as possible by calling ahead to make sure that there was room for me, sending over all my paperwork so they would be prepared, and coming with us to the hospital and making sure we were settled in and the epidural had hit before she left. After the birth, the hospital staff were all very understanding, and in some cases supportive, of our choice to use the Birthing Center for our post-partum care and made sure to send all records and important information. The hospital pediatrician had concerns about my baby's Bilirubin levels but was flexible enough to send the results from the next day's blood test to Jen so she could keep an eye on the situation during our post-partum journey. Throughout the whole thing, everyone was extremely supportive and mindful of the fact that I was struggling with the change of birthing plans, which made a world of difference to my outlook on the whole experience. I absolutely loved having Jen as our midwife during the process and can't imagine trying to go through the birthing journey without the support of the staff at Columbia Birth Center.”

If you want to find out if you are eligible for care by the midwives at Columbia Birth Center, please call us to discuss your questions or schedule a free tour/consultation of the birth center. We are happy to discuss any of your concerns and walk you through your next steps.