The BloomWell birth center is specifically designed to provide prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for parents who are healthy and low-risk (see risk factors below). But you don't need to be having a baby to receive care from us! The BloomWell center also provides comprehensive well-woman, gynecological, and contraceptive care for all patients throughout their lifespan.

BloomWell may be right for you if:

You are experiencing a healthy, low-risk pregnancy.
Risk factors that prevent birth at BloomWell: 

• Current  preeclampsia/high blood pressure
• Medication-controlled diabetes
• Heart disease or certain types of heart murmurs
• Severe medical problems including seizure, psychiatric, or addiction disorders
• Twin pregnancy
• Persistent breech presentation
• Placenta or vasa previa 
• Platelet count under 100,000
• Gestation beyond 42 full weeks
• More than seven full term pregnancies 
• Previous cesarean 

Risk factors that may affect your ability to receive prenatal care or birth in the BloomWell birth center, or which may require physician collaboration include:

• History of preeclampsia or high blood pressure in pregnancy
• History of pre-term birth or pre-term labor in two or more pregnancies 
• Age: advanced maternal age as a risk factor is determined on an individual basis by assessing additional personal risk factors 
• Major chronic medical problems
• Diabetes controlled by diet and exercise
• Fetal malposition (breech, transverse, brow, or face presentation)
• Too much or too little amniotic fluid 
• Genetic abnormalities 
• Bleeding disorders
• Excessive vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, including indication of abruption
• Nausea and vomiting disorders affecting kidney function
• Abnormal biophysical profile or non-stress test
• Indication of fetal distress 
• Prolonged or stalled labor
• Previous complications during pregnancy or birth 

Risks are continuously reassessed throughout pregnancy; consultation or collaboration with an obstetrician or maternal fetal medicine specialist may be needed to continue your care with BloomWell and to confirm or rule out risks that may preclude birth center birth. 

You are desiring a safe, low-intervention, natural birth in a comfortable, boutique setting. 

• The BloomWell birth suites are comfortable, and low-tech with a large bed and plenty of options for labor positioning
• Emergency equipment is discrete but easily accessible. 
• Amenities include birth stools, peanut and birth balls, large freestanding tubs, showers, affirmation cards, LED candles, diffusers, natural lighting, towel warmers, heated toilet seats and ceiling-suspended birth slings. 
• All birth supplies are provided
• Aromatherapy, positioning, hydrotherapy, and ice available for natural pain relief. 
• Beverages, ice pellets, and kitchen area for food storage and preparation provided
• Most families leave the birth center 4-8 hours after birth. 
• Clean up is done for you! There is no concern about your home being disrupted by the birth process. 

You want to be surrounded by a care team who understands natural birth, how to facilitate it, and what to do if something goes wrong.​

• ​All birth assistants are registered nurses with extended experience in labor & delivery, or have experience as veteran doulas and hold certifications in neonatal resuscitation specifically for out-of-hospital. 
• Our affiliated doula agency provides doulas familiar with natural, physiological birth if additional birth support is needed.

You are seeking individualized and comprehensive prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. 

• Your first prenatal consultation and intake appointment will last 60-90 minutes
• Prenatal appointments are 30-60 minutes
• Postpartum appointments may be as long as 90 minutes depending on need 
• We reserve our birth center for only 6-8 clients per month
• Ultrasound, non-stress tests and microbiology available onsite
• All blood draws, swabs, cultures and newborn screenings are collected/performed onsite.
• Birth preferences are discussed in depth at every prenatal, and most specialized birth preferences (lotus birth, cord burning, etc.) can be honored. 

You want a waterbirth

• Water birth is safe for most low-risk births:
  • Many people worry about babies breathing while underwater, while in fact your baby will not take their first breath until oxygen enters their lungs. The umbilical cord provides blood flow until this happens.
  • Your midwife will bring your baby out of the water within 10-15 seconds after birth and place the baby skin-to-skin on your chest. 
  • Water temperature is monitored and charted regularly to insure safety.
  • Water birth does not inherently increase infection risks; you can still labor and give birth in our tubs even after your water is broken. 
• Our tubs are large enough for a support person to join you and provide the ability to assume any position you want, comfortably. Birth slings and balls can be utilized while in the tub as well. 
• Waterbirth is included in your facility fee. 

You desire a family-centered experience

• Children and family members are welcome to attend and participate in prenatal appointments as desired.
• Children and family are welcome to attend the birth, keeping in mind the impact that the presence of any other individual may have on your birth; it is up to you to decide how you will cope with others at your birth, whoever they may be. Little ones need their own support person (who is not your primary support person) while in the birth center for the birth. With age-appropriate preparation, all children can be ready and capable to attend your birth!
• A comfortable family waiting area is available for family members during your birth
• Refreshments and a kitchenette for food preparation is available for family members

You want transparency regarding emergencies and transfer 

• We don't handle high-risk pregnancies; you must achieve a full-term pregnancy (>37 weeks gestation) and remain low risk per our protocols and/or a maternal fetal medicine consultation if a potential risk arises. 
• All personnel is trained and competent in emergency procedures, including CPR and neonatal resuscitation. 
• If a problem arises with mom or baby, we have IVs, oxygen, medication, and resuscitation equipment--we are more prepared than EMS! 
• If it is determined that you need to be transferred to the hospital, your midwife or another member of staff will accompany you to the hospital and stay with you until you are stable.  
• Maternal exaustion leading to stalled or prolonged labor is the single most common reason for transfer. This is not an emergency and most of the time there is plenty of opportunity for discussion and decision making before trasnfer occurs.
• All risks and benefits will be explained (this explanation takes place most often during prenatals) and informed consent obtained before interventions are performed. 
• Transfer location and plans will be discussed and agreed upon prior to labor.