Our Private Birthing Center in Austin, TX
Contact Victoria Meinhardt at victoria@manorbirthsanctuary.com about our birthing center.
What is a Birthing Center?
Birthing Centers provide personalized, family-centered care for healthy women from highly qualified professionals during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. They offer a nurturing, home-like environment where women are supported, respected and safe. You can make yourself comfortable in your own clothing and soak in a tub or have a waterbirth. Children, parents, and friends are welcome to be near you as you give birth. Birthing centers are also an integrated part of the healthcare system and will assist in transferring you to a hospital during labor should the need arise. You can visit the American Association of Birth Centers website for more information.
Your Birthing Center Plan and What to Expect
As you move through your pregnancy, we’ll discuss your birth preferences and make plans. However, once labor develops all you’re required to do is contact your midwife and drive to the birthing center. Because birthing conditions can vary greatly by individuals, we’ll assess your status when you arrive and provide the support you require.
How Does it Work to Have a Baby at Our Birthing Center?
Planning to deliver your baby with us is easy. The first step is to become an Abundance Midwifery Service client. If you’d like to tour our birthing center before doing so, please set up an appointment with Vicki, one of our midwives. Once you're comfortable moving forward, simply sign our contract which includes a payment plan for the facility fee.
How Long Will I Stay After the Birth?
After giving birth certain criteria must be met before you can leave the birthing center. Your baby should exhibit stable vital signs and be comfortable breastfeeding. Mom needs to be able to understand discharge instructions, use the bathroom, take a shower (with assistance) and eat and drink. It’s equally important that you’re rested enough to safely drive or ride home. We recommend having someone stay with you until our first home visit two or three days after the birth.
Can my Family Come to the Birthing Center?
Yes, of course!
What Can, or Should I Bring?
If you have a labor support person they should be at the birthing center. Recommended items to bring include loose-fitting clothing, a car seat, and snacks and beverages of choice for labor and postpartum. Prenatally we’ll provide education for natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care as well as materials to share with your support team.
Can I Have a Doula?
Yes. We can refer you to excellent doulas in the area, some of whom offer their services free of charge if you meet certain financial criteria.
Birth & Beyond
We do very close daily follow up as clients usually discharge on the same day their baby is born. This includes 24-hour phone support and a visit to your home two to three days after you give birth.
Our Birthing Center in Austin, TX
A refuge for clients, our birthing center is located just a short distance from Austin. It’s a wonderful, cozy little getaway with a homey environment and an artsy vibe for you to give birth in. Paintings by the owner’s partner hang on the walls and forested walkways surround the building. We’re proud to be an independent, midwife-owned practice with a beautiful birthing center only 15 minutes from the nearest transfer hospital.
Can I use Medicaid?
One of the key AMS differences is that we support women who would not otherwise be accepted by birthing centers. All our birthing center moms have been Medicaid clients. We consider this to be our niche and believe that women should not be turned away because they can’t pay. We’re in-network with TMHP (Texas Medicaid Health Plan), also known as traditional Medicaid. In addition, we have a contract-in-progress with Superior Health Plan and are authorized to accept their clients.
Contact Victoria Meinhardt at victoria@manorbirthsanctuary.com for more information.
