"Babymoon Inn birth center was born out of the passion of families who wanted to provide access to midwifery care and a freestanding, out-of-hospital setting for birth for families in the Phoenix area.   Babymoon Inn is a free-standing, out-of-hospital birth center, licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services,  accredited as a birth center by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers, and a member of the American Association of Birth Centers.  A birth center gives an option in Phoenix for low-risk women to experience birth in a comfortable, home-like setting where natural birth is our focus.

"Babymoon Inn provides a wide range of options and choices for moms in labor.  Your choice of either a beautiful jetted tub or a contemporary vessel soaking tub are available for water birth or for labor.  We have birth props, stools, and labor balls.  Our lovely garden provides outdoor space and an inspirational mural.   You are welcome to bring your family and may eat or drink during labor.

Our sanctuary is ready and our hearts are open for you.  Come visit!"

"The Birth Haven at LifeSpring Midwifery is the first birth center in Gilbert, Arizona. We offer traditional midwifery care, water birth, birth center and home birth, and well-woman care."

"The Birth Nest at Caitlin Court Birth Center offers a beautiful, relaxed and comfortable place to labor and birth your child.  Free from the rigid policies and procedures at a hospital, our birth center offers the comfort of home without the distractions of home. " 

"Blossom Birth Center is a special place created to cultivate peace, love and healthy families. Blossom is an accredited birth center in Phoenix, Arizona where low risk, healthy pregnant women give birth naturally with midwives and a special Ob/Gyn with the heart of a midwife. Blossom is Licensed by the state of Arizona and accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), as well as a member of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)."

"Willow Midwife Center for Birth & Wellness is a boutique midwife and birth center in Mesa, AZ, just minutes from Gilbert, Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler and Scottsdale. The Willow birth center offers comprehensive, individualized care for women including maternity care, labor & birth services, and wellness care."

"Women's Birth & Wellness Center is an independent free-standing birth center in Mesa, Arizona. Women's Birth and Wellness Center is an organization operated by women who are midwives, nurse practitioners lactation counselors and doulas. The focus of Women's Birth & Wellness Center is to provide education for women and families to make informed choices about their birth, their health, and their baby."

We get this question a lot, and it came up again when we taught class on Friday evening.  The most common answer uses the acronym "5-1-1".

5 ~ Contractions are five minutes apart

1 ~ Contractions are lasting one minute

1 ~ This pattern has been established for one hour

1. Consider how far you are going to travel to your birth place: if you are going to be driving 45 minutes or more, you many consider getting a hotel or bunking down with a friend who lives withing a few minutes of your birth place so that you can head there when you think you are in labor.
2. Consider what time of day you might be driving: have a couple of alternate routes in mind.
3. TRUST YOUR INSTINCT: If for any reason, anything feels off or like it needs more attention, never hesitate to head to your birth place for more information, not matter what kind of labor pattern you happen to be experiencing.  Just go get more information and ensure you and your baby are well and ready for labor.

How to make a smooth transition during labor:

https://youtu.be/hKs0nqpJtM8

• $200 voucher from Julie Papia (A Graceful Beginning) for birth or postpartum doula services
• Placenta Encapsulation from Michelle Ludwig (The Modern Mama Doula Services)
• Nursing Necklace from Denise Franklin (Denise Doula)
• Hat+Sock Set
• Bandana Bib
• 3-pack Circo Bodysuits
• Patrull Safety Latches
• Bumpy Ball

 

• $200 voucher from Julie Papia (A Graceful Beginning) for birth or postpartum doula services
• $50 off Placenta Encapsulation Service from Rebecca Turrigiano (Loving Touch Doulas)
• Headband from Denise Franklin (Denise Doula)
• Fuzzy Socks
• 3-pack Bandana Bib
• 2-pack Crib Sheets
• Patrull Safety Latches
• Bumpy Ball

• Mudpie Plush Giraffe Blanket
• Mudpie Giraffe Stroller Blanket
• Safari Stroller Toy
• Indestructible Book: Jungle Rumble
• $40.00 Gift Certificate

 Postpartum Gift Basket – $150

• Postpartum doula care: 5-hour of daytime shift OR 8-hour overnight shift
• Elephant Diaper Caddy
• 1-pack Naty Diapers
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm
• Bamboobies Reusable Nursing Pads
• MilkMakers Lactation Tea

• Birthing From Within by Pam England
• Natural Childbirth Exercises Handbook by Rhondda Hartman
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Morning Wellness Tea
• Reusable Nursing Pads
• Lavender Candle
• Bumpy Ball

• Husband-Coached Childbirth by Dr. Robert Bradley
• Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon
• Natural Childbirth ExerciseHandbook by Rhondda Hartman
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea
• The Bradley Method® Cup
• Reusable Nursing Pads
• Massage Tool
• Rice Pillow
• Bumpy Ball

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Tea Sampler
• Swaddle Me Pod
• 10-Pack Babies R’Us Closet Hangers
• Koala Baby 5-Pack Closet Dividers
• Koala Baby Green Storage Basket
• Infantino Rubber Zebra
• Babies R’Us Geoffrey Plush
• Pampers On-The-Go Diaper Wallets with Diaper+Wipes
• Babies R-Us Diapers
• 1 Set Munchkin Latch Nursing Pads
• Chicco Pacifier
• Plus Travel Size Products from Dr. Smith, Balmex, Dapple, Babyganics, Boppy Bloom, Deva Naturals, and more!

• The Night Before Your Birthday Book by Joni Rubinstein
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Morning Wellness Tea
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea
• Hot/Cold Therapy Pack
• SPB Reusable Nursing Pads
• SPB Water Bottle
• SPB Sticky notes
• SPB Tote
• SPB Pen

 

• 3 days and two nights in a private home in the Chaparral Pines Golf Community
• Two rounds of golf or golf for 2 at Chaparral Pines Golf Course
• Cart Fee included
• Must be used by November 15, 2016

• Prenatal visit
• Birth-day visit
• 2 postpartum visits

• This unique birth preparation class is designed with you in mind. You will be given a variety of tools needed for your journey regardless of where you are choosing to birth your baby.
• The intimate class environment creates a time of special bonding with your partner.
• It is taught in such a way that you will leave confident in your ability to advocate for your care in a respectful manner.

• Available for Home, Birth Center and Hospital births
• Labor and Delivery Photos starting in Active labor (6 or 7 cm dilated)
• 50- 75 Edited, full resolution Digital and printed copies given to you within 7- 10 days

 

• Lindsay Lutes-Etzold (3 hours)
• Saundra Rozenboom (10 hours)
• Ashley Anders

Central Arizona now has a milk donation and outreach center, where mothers who are interested in donating excess pumped milk can be connected to a resource that provide precious liquid love to sweet peas that are most at risk. Now mothers in central Arizona can help families with babies that are receiving hospital NICU care. 

To eat or not to eat…That was the question for families planning a hospital birth.  When you are laboring at home or a birth center, you have the freedom to eat as your appetite dictates.  If you choose to have a hospital birth, you are at the mercy of your doctor’s orders and the nurse’s interpretation of the hospital protocol.  

"Most healthy women can skip the fasting and, in fact, would benefit from eating a light meal during labor, suggests research being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2015 annual meeting. Improvements in anesthesia care have made pain control during labor safer, reducing risks related to eating, researchers note."

ASA Press Release, "Most healthy women would benefit from light meal during labor", October 24, 2015

For other reading,  HERE is some research I had found before this 2015 press release to make the case for eating and drinking in labor (in case you want to do more poking around the subject).

Science and the ASA catch up to Dr. Bradley:

"The research suggests that the energy and caloric demands of laboring women are similar to those of marathon runners, Harty said. Without adequate nutrition, women’s bodies will begin to use fat as an energy source, increasing acidity of the blood in the mother and infant, potentially reducing uterine contractions and leading to longer labor and lower health scores in newborns. Additionally, the studies suggest that fasting can cause emotional stress, potentially moving blood away from the uterus and placenta, lengthening labor and contributing to distress of the fetus."  

From the press release:

"Researchers said aspiration today is almost nonexistent, especially in healthy patients. In the United States, there was only one case of aspiration associated with labor and delivery between 2005 and 2013, involving a complicated case of a woman who was obese and had pre-eclampsia (a precursor to eclampsia, or high blood pressure that can lead to seizures), according to the American Society of Anesthesiology’s Closed Claims Project database. Researchers also noted that no cases of death due to aspiration were reported in the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2005, compared to 1.5 cases per 1,000 during the 1940s. They say this is likely due to advances in anesthesia care, including increased use of epidurals and spinal blocks in place of providing anesthesia through a mask over the nose and mouth. Before these improvements, women were more likely to need a tube placed in the windpipe for breathing, which potentially increased the risk of aspiration." 

What the ASA recommends:

"A light meal could include fruit, light soups, toast, light sandwiches (no large slices of meat), juice and water. Most women lose their appetites during very active labor, but can continue to drink fluids such as water and clear juices, researchers said." 

- Honey sticks.  According to honey.com, “Honey is also a rich source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams per tablespoon, which makes it ideal for your working muscles since carbohydrates are the primary fuel the body uses for energy. Carbohydrates are necessary in the diet to help maintain muscle glycogen, also known as stored carbohydrates, which are the most important fuel source for athletes to help them keep going.” [2]

- Trail mix.  You get the nice variety of nuts, dried fruits and if you want, candy, in one bag.  I found myself picking out my favorite nuts and fruits and snacking on them – literally one or two at a time – as we got into the active phase of first stage labor.

- Protein bars or chews.  Look for bars that are low in carbs and added sugars –the key is to provide an energy boost without an energy crash afterwards. We have had students that use the “PowerBar” brand Energy Bites, as well as Gel Blasts that are bite size energy foods.

- Popsicles.  While working hard in labor, a popsicle can be refreshing.  To prevent an energy crash, look for a brand that uses natural fruit as a sweetener instead of added sugars.  Added bonus: you can also push it against the top of your palate to stimulate oxytocin production.

- Applesauce cups.  Provide potassium along with a little protein.  The nice thing about applesauce is that while some people prefer them cold, they don’t need to be refrigerated.  Again, look for naturally rather than artificially sweetened sauces.

- Soup or clear broth.  Campbell’s came out with the “Soup at Hand Cups” that are single serve, portable and microwaveable.  They were a God-send during our third birth.  The nurse didn’t want me to eat “just in case”, but she was okay with me drinking – hence, I could drink my meal and stay nourished through our 34 hours at the hospital.

The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.

Thank you to one of my colleagues, Rachel Davis, for suggesting this topic.  

Their situation underscores the importance of having a well-thought out and written birth plan no matter what kind of birthplace you have chosen.  Wherever you are planning to give birth, Bruss and I suggest that you think about writing two birth plans.  Write one for a normal, uncomplicated birth at your chosen birth place. Also consider writing one that has your wishes written down in the event of complications, and that factors in hospital care if you are planning to birth at home or birth center..  Once you have talked these out between yourselves and your care providers, write them down and have a copy handy at all times.

- to considerate and respectful care.

- to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. 

- to ask and be informed of the existence of business relationships among the hospital, educational institutions, other health care providers, or payers that may influence the patient's treatment and care.

- to make decisions about the plan of care prior to and during the course of treatment and to refuse a recommended treatment or plan of care to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action.

- to be informed of any potential direct or indirect effects, risks or hazards to herself or her unborn or newborn infant which may result from the use of a drug or procedure prescribed for or administered to her during pregnancy, labor, birth or lactation.

- to be informed, not only of the benefits, risks and hazards of the proposed therapy but also of known alternative therapy.

- to be informed about how a drug or procedure may adversely affect her unborn baby, directly or indirectly, and that there is no drug or chemical which has been proven safe for the unborn child.

- if Cesarean birth is anticipated, to be informed that minimizing her intake of nonessential pre-operative medicine will benefit her baby.

- to be informed of the areas of uncertainty if there is NO properly controlled follow-up research which has established the safety of the drug or procedure with regard to its effect on the fetus and the later physiological, mental and neurological development of the child.

- to be informed of the brand name and generic name of the drug in order that she may advise the health professional of any past adverse reaction to the drug.

- to determine for herself, without pressure from her attendant, whether she will or will not accept the risks inherent in the proposed treatment.

- to know the name and qualifications of the individual administering a drug or procedure to her during labor or birth.

- to be informed whether that procedure is being administered to her because a) it is medically indicated, b) it is an elective procedure (for convenience, c) or for teaching purposes or research).

- to have her baby cared for at her bedside if her baby is normal, and to feed her baby according to her baby's needs rather than according to the hospital regimen.

- to be informed if there is any known or indicated aspect of her or her baby's care or condition which may cause her or her baby later difficulty or problems.

•    The processes contemplated by the physician as treatment, including whether the treatment is new or unusual.

•    The risks and hazards of the treatment,

•    The chances for recovery after treatment.

•    The necessity of the treatment.

•    The feasibility of alternative methods of treatment.”

• “How is (Mother’s Name) doing?  Are her vitals still within an acceptable range?”
• “How is (Baby’s Name) doing?  Are his or her vitals still within an acceptable range?”
• “Do we have to make a decision right now?  How much time do we have?”

• “What is the problem?”
• “What are the symptoms or test results causing concern?”
• “Could this be normal?”
• “What is the most likely cause?  Are there any other possible causes?”

• Paraphrase it back to ensure you understand what the recommendation is.

•  You want to listen well, and paraphrase again.  You can also ask if their opinion is based on fact or observation.

• Ask to see the insert if it is a drug and there is time to read it – you may be surprised at what is in the fine print and the care provider fail to mention.

• Side effects are very important to know, especially if it is something whose short-term or long-term effects on an unborn child or a newborn are unknown.

• Again, care providers have routines based on what their protocol is – sometimes there are other options that they don’t mention, not from malice, it could be simply because they are not accustomed to being asked for alternatives.

• Who are you talking to?  Nurses come in many varieties: a student nurse, an LPN (one year of schooling), an ASN nurse (two years of schooling), a BSN (four years of schooling).  Beyond that, how long have they been working as a nurse?  If you are talking to a doctor: are they a resident (student) doctor, or an attending (more experienced) physician?  How long have they been a resident or an attending? 

• Knowing the level of experience of the information giver is an especially important question to ask if you are in a teaching hospital.  Every family needs to make a decision regarding their comfort level with students literally practicing on you based on their individual preferences.  On a personal note, while I am all for medical students learning, when it come to my body and our child, I want a trained and experienced professional to work on us.  I am okay if a student wants to observe, however, only someone with extensive experience and knowledge is going “to do” something or administer something to us.

• In the interest of full disclosure, here are other very important questions:  1.) You want to know how they will measure the efficacy of the intervention.  2.) When you accept one medical intervention, it is likely that other interventions or compromises will follow.  If there is time, you want to hear all of the other interventions or protocol they will have to follow that may be a result of the first intervention you agree to have. 

• Back to full disclosure – there are ways to phrase things that force you to make an immediate decision.  If you ask "how will you know it's working, and what happens next" questions, it provides the opportunity for the care provider to tell you the other side of the story, or the whole story in regards to their recommendations.

 1.  If you have done your research and you have heard the benefits and the risks of a procedure or drug, and you are confident in your decision and want to refuse, hospitals have documents called “Against Medical Advice” that you can sign.  You accept the risks inherent in your decision and relieve the hospital of liability.

2.  You can ask for an Independent Patient Advocate.  This person acts as a liaison between the patient and the care providers.  It puts someone in between you and the care provider, and it is implied that they would convey information in a neutral way.  Sometimes taking away the “authority” of the person conveying the information relieves the pressure and lets a patient make a decision without feeling the pressure of “The Doctor” or “The Nurse”.

Disclaimer: