Michael Casal MD, CNM Shelley Schumacher, and CNM Leona Wagner standing by one of the birthing tubs at Infinity Birthing Center.
Story Published:
Jul 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 14, 2009 at 5:15 PM CST
According to one expectant mother, "Right here in Cookeville we have a rare treasure."
She's referencing a place called the Infinity Birthing Center, one of four free-standing birthing centers in Middle Tennessee, located here in the Upper Cumberland, which has captured the interest of to-be-moms looking for natural, home-style options for childbirth.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center has noticed the trend toward natural childbirth as well, according to the hospital's birthing center employees. Employees at CRMC note that last year only about 11 percent of women delivered without the aid of epidurals or other medications. This year the rate appears to be much higher, hovering in the 35 percent range.
One hundred years ago, most babies were born at home. Now hospitals are where most births happen because of the safety and pain relief options offered in that setting.
But women are looking for options, so hospitals and birthing centers are both meeting the needs of these new mothers with a more natural, homelike setting.
Advocates of the free-standing birthing center say a birthing center is a safe, natural alternative to hospital birth, and an option for those who are looking a highly relaxing, comfortable atmosphere to have their baby.
Certified Nurse Midwife Leona Wagner stated that the birthing center is a "nice compromise to home birth… a little safer… and there are no monitors beeping."
Studies thus far have shown that birthing centers are just as safe if not safer than hospital births for low risk pregnancies.
And medical interventions, such as cesarean birth, are almost nonexistant at birthing centers, unlike hospitals, who have the highest rate of c-sections.
At birthing centers, laboring women are encouraged to move freely, eat if they wish and are not confined to a hospital bed.
Michael Casal, M.D., Medical Director, said, "It's amazing how much less pain you have when you're not laying on your back the whole entire time. And it just doesn't make sense to be laying down when you want the baby to come down so you really need to be walking around… you get to change positions to get the baby to come down, rather than being on your back."
Infinity Birthing Center is not only the only free standing birthing center in Middle Tennessee, but it is one of the only facilities in Tennessee that offers water birth.
Water birth has many benefits that normal "natural" labor does not. According to Infinity Center staff, when a woman is allowed to labor in water, her blood pressure automatically lowers, creating less stress on the baby and relaxing the mother. The risk of injury or tearing for the mother is also greatly diminished with water birth.
Interventions are rare, inductions are non-existent and expectant couples are given the choice to have their baby the way they want to.
"Pregnancy is not a medical problem. It is not an illness. It is a very normal process, and therefore you don't need to intervene'' said Doctor Casal.
If you are pregnant, or even thinking about trying for a baby, know that you have some great options in Cookeville.
There is an open house at Infinity Birthing Center in Cookeville July 29-31st, 3-7 pm and Saturday August 1st, 9am-12 pm. The staff will be welcoming visitors, offering refreshments and door prizes.
