Frequently Asked Questions
What if my midwife is not on your list of Credentialed Providers?
Your midwife may apply to become credentialed at Our Birthing Center. We would encourage her to do so as soon as possible to ensure you know well in advance where you will be delivering.
What if I don’t have insurance or my insurance does not cover the birthing center?
Payment Plans are available for self paying clients. Please contact us to discuss further.
What is considered Low Risk?
Birth Center care is appropriate for women who are considered low risk and have had uncomplicated pregnancies. At each prenatal visit clients are assessed for their suitability to deliver at the birth center. Only patients who are determined to be low risk and able to undergo a physiological birth will be admitted to Our Birthing Center.
What if there’s an emergency?
The birthing center is equipped to handle routine deliveries. A practitioner noting the presence of factors which require emergency care in a hospital setting will immediately arrange for transfer to Morristown Medical Center for collaborative or physician management. Morristown Medical Center is located less than 2 miles away; the drive there takes about 7 minutes. Decision regarding the need for, and mode of transport for emergency care will be made by your care provider. Midwives are trained to identify potential problems before the situation becomes serious. Emergency transfer procedures for mother and infant are known by all staff members and drills are held at regular intervals. Your care provider will accompany you to the hospital in order to maintain a continuity of care and may continue to provide clinical care as long as she is credentialed at Morristown Medical Center.
What are some examples of instances which would necessitate a transfer?
Do you offer Nitrous Oxide?
Yes! We are excited that Our Birthing Center has Nitrous Oxide available for our patients to promote comfort and reduce pain throughout labor. Nitrous Oxide is used as an effective form of pain management in many countries with high standards for safe and effective health care, including Australia, Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) maintains that women in the United States should have access to Nitrous Oxide as a form of labor pain management.
Can I choose which birthing room I get to deliver in?
Usually. Just realize that childbirth is not a scheduled event, so we cannot guarantee the room you want will be available when you come to give birth. When you are admitted you may choose which of the available rooms you’d like.
How is Newborn Screening done?
There are three different tests which take place. The Metabolic Screening and Pulse Oximetry Screening are done at the 24-48 hour follow up visit at your home. The newborn hearing screening is done at your convenience at an outpatient facility. It is recommended that you schedule this test as soon as possible
Will a pediatrician check my newborn?
You will bring your newborn to your pediatrician for his/her first exam. This should be scheduled within 1 week of delivery or as recommended by your provider.
If I want my newborn son to have a circumcision, who would do that?
Circumcisions may be done by a pediatrician, obstetrician, family medicine doctor, surgeon, or urologist. Circumcisions that are performed for religious reasons are sometimes done by others trained in the procedure. Affiliated Providers.
How long will I remain in the birthing center after delivery?
Typical discharge times at Birthing Centers is 4-6 hours after delivery, with the idea that sticking around really isn't necessary — or desirable — if you and your baby are doing well. Actual discharge time will be determined by your care provider based on your individual circumstances. We will send a postpartum Nurse to your home 24-48 hours after delivery to see how things are going, and for certain required newborn screening tests. And you're always welcome to call your Midwife with any questions. We can also assist in arranging for you to have a postpartum doula help you upon your discharge from the birthing center.
Are meals served at the birthing center?
Meals are not served at Our Birthing Center. A coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator are available for client use in the kitchen area. Snacks and drinks are available in the Lounge. Clients may certainly bring any food/drink they prefer. Many patients order in from local restaurants during their recovery period.
Who may accompany me at my birth?
When delivering at Our Birthing Center the client can decide who will be with you or near you as you give birth. In theory we’d love to have you bring as many people as you’d like, including children. In practice, space is limited and we’ve learned from experience that having too many guests and children simply does not work. As a general rule, patients may be accompanied by two support people. Should the need arise for an exception to the rule, please discuss it with your Midwife beforehand.
May I have a waterbirth?
Clients are permitted and encouraged to labor and deliver in the birthing tubs should you so desire as long as you and the baby are safe (as determined by your care provider based on our policies and procedures). Showers with benches are also available for laboring in.
At what point do I get admitted to the Birthing Center?
Upon your arrival at the birthing center your care provider will determine your labor status by performing a physical assessment. A determination will then be made by your care provider.
If you are in progressive labor you will be admitted.
If there is question as to whether or not client is in progressive labor the CNM may require further observation.
In the case of false labor or early latent phase labor the patient will typically be sent back home.
If upon examination the client does not meet risk criteria, the patient will be transferred to the hospital with their care provider for collaborative physician management.
Who oversees the Birthing Center?
Our Birthing Center is a professionally run medical facility. We have undergone a rigorous licensing approval process by the New Jersey Department of Health which requires us to meet Standards for Licensing of Ambulatory Care Facilities.
Our Policies and Procedures are based off the standards promoted by the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC), OSHA regulations, CDC Guidelines and HICPAC Guidelines.
What happens with my Placenta?
Patients may elect to take their placentas home with them. If they do not wish to do so, OBC will either dispose of or preserve the placenta for scientific or teaching purposes.
What kind of follow up is done after my discharge?
There is recognition that the postpartum period is a critical time which presents an enormous adjustment task to the new family. Close and frequent follow-up in the early postpartum period will reduce the risk of the development of serious problems for the mother, infant, and family. As such, family will be followed closely postpartum in order to provide support for postpartum adjustments and to identify and resolve any problems. Our Birthing Center will send a postpartum Nurse to your home for a follow up visit 24-48 hours after discharge. Additional follow-up will be done with phone calls and patient visits with your care providers. A visit to your pediatrician should be scheduled within the first week; And a visit to an audiologist to perform the Newborn Hearing Screening.
How do I obtain a Birth Certificate for my newborn?
As part of the registration process parents will provide all vital information which is required by the State for issuance of a Birth Certificate. Prior to discharge, the nurses will complete the Clinical aspects for the Vital Information Platform (VIP) as mandated by the State of New Jersey. Once all required information has been entered into the VIP system the Birth Certificate will be issued by the local registrar, Morris Township. The birth certificate can be picked up at the Registrar's office, 50 Woodland Avenue, Morristown, NJ. Alternatively, you may complete this form to request it be mailed to you. The office of the registrar can be reached at 973-326-7390.
How do I obtain a Social Security number for my newborn?
One of the questions asked at registration is whether the parents would like to have a Social Security Number issued for their newborn. This information is entered by our staff into the Vital Information Platform (VIP) system as required by the State of New Jersey. Once VIP is completed the record is sent to the local registrar to process and accept. When the local registrar accepts the record, it triggers the record to be sent from the State to the Social Security Administration for processing. Social Security Cards are usually mailed to the family 2-3 weeks after the record has been accepted by the local registrar.
May I bring a photographer to photograph my birthing experience?
Of course! Just remember that any guests accompanying a patient throughout delivery are under the authority of the birthing center and the midwife attending the delivery. They must comply with any rules and/or instructions of the birthing center and midwife.
Does Our Birthing Center comply with the Out Of Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act?
Yes! Attached you will find our charge-master.