When it comes to pregnancy and birth, we know parents are inundated with choices. One of those choices may be to give birth with a midwife and/or in a birth center. At the end of the day, you want to make the choice that is best for you and your baby, and at Baby+Co., we are committed to supporting you at every step. However, we know that not everyone in your life understands every choice you make. Getting everyone on the same page as you prepare for baby can be a challenge, especially if you… Read More

Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned pro, a low-risk pregnancy can be defined as one where there is no need for or benefit from medical intervention. Most pregnancies (92 to 94 percent) are considered low-risk. Mom and baby are healthy and there’s nothing to indicate that labor and delivery won’t go smoothly. In these situations, a low-intervention labor and delivery can be a wonderful option either in a hospital or a birth center. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recently released updated recommendations on interventions during labor… Read More

Baby+Company and WakeMed have been delivering maternity care together since the birth center opened in 2015. This spring, we began deepening our collaboration, exploring ways to better meet the needs of diverse families in a rapidly changing healthcare system. Dr. AJ Koehler from WakeMed Physician Practices (WPP) assumed the role of Medical Director, and WPP now collaborates to provide full-spectrum maternity care to Baby+Company families. Read More

Earlier this year Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an independent organization that advises the National Health Service, presented new guidelines recommending that all women with low-risk pregnancies be presented with the options of midwifery care and out of hospital birth. We already know from the landmark Listening to Mothers surveys, expecting women prefer to have an array of alternatives when it comes to their care; however, the NICE recommendations go beyond the argument of “choice is good.” The evidence-based report states that midwifery-led care is best for healthy pregnancies due to the achievement of equal health outcomes with lower intervention rates, when compared to physician-led care. Read More

“Birth hormones matter: Take precaution before intervention” could be the bumper sticker summary of Dr. Sarah J. Buckley’s new, in-depth report, Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. In her book, Dr. Buckley reviews the important role of birth hormones in helping expecting women prepare for birth, initiate labor, bond with their babies, and begin breastfeeding. The report also covers common practices that may create stress for the mother and interfere with natural hormonal processes during labor and birth, such as lack of privacy, loud noise, bright lights, and unnecessary or too frequent interventions, assessments, and monitoring. Read More