Our Care and Services
Our services are for women during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and women’s wellness.
Prenatal Care
Receiving early and regular prenatal care is important. Initial visits can be scheduled as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.
Labor Doula Care
Your doula is there to help you through childbirth with love, physical, emotional and informational support.
Postpartum Care
Care for mom and baby from birth to weeks post birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth center?
Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center offer’s today’s women & families an alternative to hospital maternity care in a safe and beautiful setting. We provide care to women who are anticipating normal, low-risk births as well as providing gynecological care (women’s wellness) when necessary.
Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center is run by certified licensed professionals who have the skills and sensitivity to provide the best care to our clients. We have doctors who back our professional midwives. HSPBC meets all local, state and federal health, fire and safety regulations and is licensed by the state Department of Health.
Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center takes some insurances. The cost is much less than traditional hospital deliveries and the stay is much shorter. All details are discussed at your “meet & greet.”
We take pride in providing the best midwifery care for our mothers in a setting that is welcoming, warm and calming.
HSPBC care is personalized. We encourage and educate the family to participate in the preparation for labor & birthing. Birthing in a beautiful setting surrounded by peaceful, professional loving care.
Classes for prenatal care & fitness, childbirth education and parenting classes are part of your care.
HSPBC offers GRAVITY BIRTH™ which releases lower extremity tension and helps baby come down & out! Relaxes the back and feels Great!
HSPBC offers the freedom to move around, eat and to choose what you want and would rather not have. You can choose whether to birth in water. With the education, guidance and support, once baby arrrives, the family is ready with confidence to welcome and care for their newborn.
Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center’s goal is to provide the safety (being across the street from a hospital) and the comfort of a home atmosphere, all with the assurance that competent, attentive staff is helping your family realize a dream come true.
What is the difference between HSPBC and a hospital?
At HSPBC once admitted into your suite, we want women to birth at their own pace therefore not rushing the labor process. HSPBC encourages pregnant women and their families to take a responsible role in the plan for their birth experience. Bearing down with simple guidance and trusting in her own wisdom to bring baby home. Baby is born, a Celebration of Life! We encourage:
- skin to skin bonding
- delayed cutting of the umbilical cord or “lotus” birth (keeping baby, cord and placenta attached)
- placenta encapsulation service
- postpartum breastfeeding support by our lactation specialist
- time to bond, eat and relax with your newborn
- postpartum organic meal
- special collection of products for you in your “goody bag” to take home
HSPBC encourages a woman to interact with family, eat, drink, walk, and be supported by the people around her. Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center discharges parents 4-6 hours postpartum and provide an a follow up visit at 24-72 hours. Pediatricians that work with our holistic parents are already chosen and in place.
HSPBC is based on the midwifery model of care and views pregnancy as a normal and natural part of life, therefore, focuses on helping mothers give birth naturally without the use of any invasive technology or procedures.
Are birth centers safe?
Yes, birth centers are safe when you have certified birthworkers that are knowledgeable, professional midwives, registered nurses and doulas who focus on the mothers and baby’s best interest. HSPBC is the Only Birth Center directly across from the hospital with our medical ob/gyn who covers our hospital transfers and is natural birth friendly. This makes our Center the safest and a wonderful holistic choice.
A National Birth Center Study of over 17, 000 women seeking birth center care published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that birth centers offer a safe and acceptable alternative to hospital birth for selected women, and that birth center care leads to fewer cesarean sections.
Will my insurance pay for my birth center care?
We do take some insurances, depending on your particular plan, we can verify your benefits and let you know more. Think of your pregnancy and birthing experience like you would if you were planning your wedding…a life changing event! There will be a portion you are financially responsible for and with your verification of benefits, we will have a better idea of what out of pocket expenses will be and what your total care costs will be.
Please see our section on Insurance/Fees. Your insurance company may not pay for all of your birth center care, but we can help you to obtain the necessary information to verify coverage.
What if an emergency happens, or my baby needs to go to the hospital?
In the unlikely event of an unexpected situation or emergency, the staff at HSPBC is highly qualified to effectively initiate any emergency treatments associated with labor and birth. HSPBC is equipped if needed to initiate treatment and is located directly across from the hospital. Not a car ride, but a two minute walk or wheelchair ride. This is Peace of Mind and yes, a necessary logistic when needed. The Fire Dept. is behind the Center as well.
Our coverage at Jackson South Hospital is there when needed and in the event of a transfer, care is continued for mother and baby as private patients, not “walk-ins”.
Who can be with me at my birth?
Having a baby is an intimate and personal experience. We feel that you should be able to share it with anyone you choose. This may include your husband, or other birth companion and support persons. Your birth includes a midwife, birth assistant and some will also include a doula in your package.
Since the time spent postpartum at the Birth Center is 4-6 hours, relatives and other family members can wait in our family lounge. Your primary birth companion and support person can actively participate in the birth experience. If you decide to have other children present, you will need to have advance preparation and they will need to be supervised by a second adult support person. We ask that the people you have with you respect the midwives and your birth choices.
What options do I have for labor pain management?
The labor management of childbirth is different for each woman and pain is a perception of the person experiencing it.
Options for intense labor relief are
- water tubs,
- massage,
- Nitrous Oxide,
- homeopathics,
- aromatherapy,
- interaction with others, and support from Holistic South’s staff.
Nitrous Oxide patient controlled analgesia may be used for labor and relaxation only when requested. Speak to our staff for more information on this option. In birth centers, labor perception relief really begins with the program of care. Alleviating fear through childbirth education, promoting confidence, and providing a nonstressful environment is the beginning of reducing this during childbirth. This “takes the edge off” and is used in nearly complete phase of labor by mother if chosen. Pre-reservation is optional.
Studies have shown that the constant support and companionship of other women like a doula and/or the midwife shortens labor and reduces the perception of discomfort during labor.
The education and parenting classes taught by certified specialist Debra Geymayr for HSPBC parents will help couples understand how labor progresses, ways mom and birth companion can work together and fully participate using the different resources to help cope with labor and, if indicated, participate and cooperate in the decision to have medical help for relief of pain. A childbirth education, newborn baby care and breastfeeding class are recommended for all first-time parents to take. Usually two months. prior to estimated due date.
Who can use the birth center?
If you are healthy and low risk, on your first visit you will have an evaluation to help determine if you have any chronic medical problems such as heart disease or diabetes or potential obstetrical problems that may occur during pregnancy, labor or birth. A heart to heart with one of our special midwives to discuss any concerns.
The State of Florida does not allow Birth Centers to deliver twins or breech presentation, but at the hospital with our medical provider as backup, you will be in the best of hands and have a natural, vaginal birth if possible.
You will be carefully screened on your first visit and evaluated throughout your pregnancy to promote a safe and satisfying birth experience. Remember, care is on a continuum. Our goal is to meet your personal needs as well as insure your safety and your baby's well-being.
How soon after birth can I go home? What can I expect?
At HSPBC, we begin preparing new families for their newborn throughout pregnancy. We will help you plan for the support and care you and your baby need at home in the first few days and weeks after birth.
After the birth, your baby will get a complete initial assessment and physical examination. You will be checked to make sure that there is no excessive bleeding or complications, and that your baby is breastfeeding successfully. Providing that there no complications arise, the mother and baby are stable, and the baby has been nursed, mom has eaten and birth certificate information is documented, women will remain at the birth center for approximately 4 -6 hours after giving birth. However, mothers can stay in the center from 6 to 8 hours if medically needed. No rush, relax and bond with your special gift.
Once you are home, one of our professionals will see you within 24-72 hours to check on you and the baby. You can call the center or your midwife at anytime during your postpartum period with questions or concerns. This way you can get the rest you need, time to bond with your new baby, and the health and wellbeing of you and your baby continues to be monitored. Your baby will be seen by a pediatric care provider within the first 24-48 hours. You will come back to HSPBC for two postpartum checkups, at two weeks and six weeks as well. We have enjoyed many second and third time parents return to share again their joy in birthing with Holistic South.
How is Holistic South Pregnancy & Birth Center licensed?
HSPBC is licensed under the regulations for freestanding birth centers with the Florida State Department of Health. Each year a state inspector comes to review HSPBC for the state-defined standards of safety. Coalition for Childbirth Choices is licensed by the State of Florida. We are proud members of AABC "American Association for Birth Centers" and continue to strive for the best quality care possible.
How can I learn more about HSPBC
You can contact us anytime by calling us at 305-238-7873 or e-mail us at info@hspbirthcenter.com
We invite you to come to one of our free meet and greet tours (30 minutes, call for set up) where you can learn more about our staff, services and our center. We will show you our beautiful space, discuss packages and help you choose the best and safest place to birth your child.