How do birth center outcomes compare with hospital birth?
Health outcomes are significantly better because birth center clients have 1) significantly lower c-section rates, 2) significantly fewer epidurals and 3) significantly greater persistence with breastfeeding. These results are a direct result of the midwifery model, which provides more attentive prenatal and postpartum care than provided by a typical OB practice. Much more time is spent with the clients (average prenatal visits are 60 minutes in duration), so the midwives are able to build a meaningful relationship with their clients, help them identify their physical and emotional strengths and weaknesses, and develop proper expectations and strategies for coping with their labor. Our clients enter labor very well-educated, calm and confident – and they do so in a warm and comfortable environment at the birth center. This makes a huge difference in the progress of labor. The landmark National Birth Center Study followed outcomes for over 11,000 women and found a c-section rate of 4.4%
