Frequently Asked Questions
Rite of Passage
Women's Health and Birth Center
Women's Health and Birth Center
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- A certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with advance education and
training in midwifery. Today, over forty major colleges and universities across the
country offer either certificate or master's degree programs in nurse-midwifery. All
CNM's become certified by passing all national board examinations administered by the
American College of Nurse-Midwifery (ACNM). They must also meet all the
requirements of the state in which they practice.
 | What are the licensing requirements for a birth center? |
- A birth center must be licensed by the state where it is located. In Texas, the State of
Texas Department of Health is the regulating body for birth centers.
| Who can use a birth center? |
- In general, any woman who is in good health and has a negative family history can use
a birth center. There are following conditions which may be monitored to be allow for a
birth center delivery such as: women over 35 having their first baby, women with a
history of several miscarriages, women with mitral valve prolapse, women with medical
conditions which do not affect pregnancy, and women who have had controlled
gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
| Why should I consider a Certified Nurse Midwife instead of an OB/GYN physician? |
- A Certified Nurse Midwife at a birth center offers a family oriented, home-like
atmosphere, safe, comfortable and affordable birthing option. If you desire this type of
experience the option is available to you. Your CNM will evaluate your condition and
discuss your care options with you. If at any point it is advisable, your CNM will refer
you to an appropriate specialist.
| What are the differences between a birth center and a hospital? |
- A birth center provides a home-like, private atmosphere where labor and birth are
treated as normal life events. A CNM supports and assesses a laboring woman
throughout the labor and delivery. The labor and delivery room is equipped with a
whirlpool bath to provide comfort during labor. Women are encouraged to walk, eat,
drink and position themselves to be as comfortable as possible. At birth, the CNM
immediately places the baby into the arms of the mother. After delivery, each mother
receives care and guidance to prepare her to breastfeed and care for her baby upon
discharge a few hours later. Follow-up care is provided via phone and home visits for
the first few weeks of the newborn's life.
| How are medical emergencies handled by Rite of Passage Women's Health and | |
| Birth Center? |
- In the event of a medical emergency, Rite of Passage Women's Health and Birth Center
has emergency medical equipment onsite to stablilize a woman/infant for transfer to an
Emergency Room. The CNM or available person will contact the on-call physician
and/or EMT to respond to the situation.
| What if complications arise during pregnancy or delivery? |
- The CNM and assistant are trained to manage complications that may occur during
labor and delivery including: postpartum hemorrhage, infant resuscitation, and tears.
The birth center has the necessary medications, anesthetics and equipment to manage
these situations and/or stabilize for transfer to a hospital via ambulance. An episiotomy
is only preformed if needed.
| What method is used to monitor the baby during labor? |
- The CNM and assistant will frequently listen to the baby's heart with a hand-held
doppler. If any abnormalities are present, the doppler will be used for continuous
monitoring to evaluate the necessity to transfer to a hospital.
| Has research been done regarding care with Certified Nurse Midwives and Birthing | |
| Centers? |
- Please review this research link to for a wealth of information supporting midwifery
and birth centers.
| What are the fees associated with using a Birth Center? |
- Most health insurance policies will reimburse certified nurse midwives for gynecological
and family planning services. Discuss your individual method of payment at the time
you call to make and appointment. Click on the insurance button to the left to review
our the insurance plans we currently accept.