Your Birthing Center FAQs Answered – What to Expect in NJ

Every expecting mom has questions. What does a birthing center in NJ feel like? Will I feel safe and supported? And is it a nurturing environment? At Our Birthing Center, we believe clarity brings calm. That’s why our care model is designed to help you understand what to expect from the very start, because peace of mind is part of the birth plan too.

Serving families across Essex, Morris, Hudson, and Union counties as well as NYC, Our Birthing Center combines medical expertise with a serene, spa-like environment. It’s where comfort and confidence come together, so you can focus on what really matters: welcoming your baby in your own way.

1. What Does “Low Risk” Really Mean?

You might hear the term “low risk” during your prenatal visits and wonder what that means for you. Simply put, it refers to a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy – the kind that’s well-suited for the wellness model of care followed at Our Birthing Center.

Your chosen provider, whether a doctor or a midwife credentialed at Our Birthing Center, works hand in hand with skilled nurses who monitor your progress while supporting the natural rhythm of labor. If any issues arise that require additional medical attention, transfer plans are already in place to ensure continuity of care. That means you stay supported from start to finish, no matter what.

2 . What Happens on the Big Day?

When labor begins, you’ll call your midwife team to check in and talk through your contractions, how you’re feeling, and when it’s time to come in. Once you arrive, you’ll settle into your private birth suite  lights low, tub ready, and your support team by your side.

Your midwives will monitor you and baby using hands-on, low-intervention techniques, allowing you to move freely, eat, drink, and follow your body’s cues. You can labor in the tub, on the bed, on a birth ball, or anywhere that feels right. Comfort measures like massage, warm water, breathwork, and position changes help labor progress naturally.

As birth becomes closer, your midwives guide you through pushing with calm, continuous support. After baby arrives, you enjoy immediate skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, and an unhurried first hour together. Your midwife completes all postpartum checks while you stay cuddled up as a family.

Over the next few hours, you’ll recover in your suite, enjoy a meal, and receive newborn exams, breastfeeding support, and clear instructions for going home. Once you and baby are stable, you head home to rest in your own space.

A postpartum nurse will visit within 24–48 hours to check on you and your newborn, answer any questions, and ensure recovery is smooth and supported.

Quick-Fire Questions

What if my midwife isn’t credentialed at the center?

Your midwife can apply to become credentialed. If that’s not possible before your due date, you may select another provider credentialed with us.

Can I choose which birthing room I’ll use?

Usually, yes—though birth doesn’t always follow a schedule, so the room you prefer might already be in use. The team will, however, go the extra mile to ensure you’re comfortable wherever you are.

What happens if there’s an emergency?

Every team member is trained in emergency procedures, and your care provider will coordinate any necessary transfer to a nearby hospital (Morristown Hospital is 5 min from our Morristown location, and HMH Palisades Medical Center is 6 min from our Hudson location). Whenever possible, they’ll remain by your side to maintain your sense of calm and trust throughout the process.

Can I receive pain medication during a natural birth?

We support unmedicated births, so options like epidurals are not provided on-site. However, you will have access to nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) and a full range of comfort measures — water immersion, movement, breathwork, hands-on support, and more. 

Why do families usually go home within 4–6 hours after birth?

Our birthing center stays are intentionally short because healthy birthing people and babies often recover best in the comfort of their own home. Our nurses and your midwife team ensure that all medical checks for you and baby are complete before discharge, and you receive close follow-up care within 24-48 hours to continue monitoring your recovery.

Will I be able to eat and drink during labor?

Yes — maintaining energy is essential during labor. You are encouraged to eat and drink as your body allows, choosing whatever fuels you best. This is one of the benefits of natural birth settings, where your instincts guide you.  

Can I move around freely, or do I have to stay in bed?

You can move as much as you want. We emphasize mobility and instinctive positioning — walking, swaying, squatting, using the birth ball, laboring in the tub — to help labor progress naturally and comfortably. There are no restrictions unless medically necessary.  

Is natural birth safe?

A: Yes. We follow strict safety criteria and work with low-risk pregnancies. Your health is monitored throughout pregnancy and labor, and if anything falls outside normal parameters, a hospital transfer is made early and smoothly.

Can siblings or family members be present for the birth?

A: We welcome siblings or additional family members, as long as it feels supportive for you. Typically, families coordinate childcare or bring someone responsible to help with siblings.

What conditions would make me ineligible for a birth center?

A: Certain medical situations — such as preeclampsia, placenta previa, uncontrolled gestational diabetes, meconium, or a pregnancy that becomes high-risk — may require hospital care. Your provider evaluates this continuously to keep you and your baby safe.

Your Birth, Your Preferences

At Our Birthing Center, families from Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties—and even nearby New York City—find a place that honors their preferences while providing professional guidance at every step. It’s care built on trust, respect, and the belief that every birth deserves to feel both safe and sacred.

Ready to tour our birthing centers in NJ and ask your questions in person? Contact us today and take the first step toward a confident, informed birth journey. 

Call 862-444-2420 or email info@OurBirthingCenter.com.