Why choose a birth center?

If you are a healthy woman and desire a family-centered, natural birth experience with minimal intervention, a birth center is a safe option you may want to consider. Birth Centers have a proven history of a high level of satisfaction by those who use them and offer an experience in which routine medical interventions (such as IV, electronic fetal monitoring and separation of mother and baby) are discouraged.

A birth center offers a safe, but "low-tech" environment with IV’s, oxygen, medication, and infant resuscitation equipment available in the rare case that these safety items are needed. The Bend Birth Center is located 7 minutes away from St. Charles Medical Center, putting the facility within a 30 minute “standard emergency decision” time frame that most hospitals strive to achieve.

PHILOSOPHY
At the Bend Birth Center, we see pregnancy and birth as non-medical events. Because of this perspective, we focus on low-tech, highly-supportive, personalized care that encourages you to follow your own body and give birth in an environment where you feel comfortable.

Because of this philosophy , we offer you the following important benefits:

• A comfortable environment where you are encouraged to wear your own clothes and bring any personal items that will help you to create the kind of space you envision for your labor and birth
  
  
• The ability to bring those friends and loved ones who will help you to feel relaxed and supported
  
  
• The freedom to eat and drink freely
  
  
• Natural forms of pain relief, which include laboring and birthing in warm water, frequent position changes, massage, and doula support if desired
  
  
• Freedom from shift changes or unfamiliar faces caring for you
  
  
• Immediate contact with your baby following the birth
  

The philosophy and care at the Bend Birth Center is individualized and centered around a family's wishes and hopes for an exceptional birth experience.