Evidence

What does the evidence say about midwifery care in birth centers? 

• Outcomes of care in birth centers: Demonstration of a durable model.

• The National Birth Center Study II

• Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature

• Midwifery Care at a Freestanding Birth Center: A Safe and Effective Alternative to Conventional Maternity Care

• Outcomes of childbearing Medicaid beneficiaries engaged in care at Strong Start birth center sites between 2012 and 2014

What does the evidence say about water birth safety?

• Immersion in Water in Labor and Birth

• The Experience of Land and Water Birth Within the American Association of Birth Centers

• Evidence on: Water Birth

• American Association of Accredited Birth Center Position Statement Immersion in Water During Labor and Birth

• Maternal and Newborn Outcomes Following Waterbirth: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009 Cohort

Do mainstream maternity care organizations support birth centers as a safe option? 

1. Planned Homebirth

"American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists believes that hospitals and accredited birth centers are the safest settings for birth."

2. Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support intermittent auscultation, non-pharmacologic methods of pain relief including massage, position changes, water immersion, and continuous one-on-one emotional support to improve outcomes.