Are You Preparing to Give Birth in the Fresno, CA Area?
Welcoming a new life is an incredible journey, and choosing the right place to give birth is essential for both you and your baby. Here’s a guide to some of the best-rated hospitals in Fresno, CA and throughout the Central Valley.
In our previous post, we explored the various hospitals in Fresno, CA, as options for giving birth. While hospitals offer comprehensive medical care, many families are now seeking more personalized and intimate experiences. In this second part of our series, we’ll delve into the benefits of birth centers and home births, who they are best suited for, and what to look for in a provider for each option.
Birth Centers in Fresno
A birth center is a facility designed to provide a more homelike atmosphere for childbirth, focusing on natural, low-intervention births. Birth centers are typically staffed by certified midwives who prioritize personalized care and support throughout the labor process. As of this writing, there is only one out-of-hospital birth center in the Central Valley.
Photo Credit: Christina Baltazar Photography | Fresno Maternity Photographer
Who is a Good Fit for a Birth Center?
- Low-Risk Pregnancies: Birth centers are ideal for women with low-risk pregnancies who desire a natural birthing experience.
- Those Seeking a Comfortable Environment: If you prefer a cozy, less clinical setting, a birth center can provide a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Families Wanting Personalized Care: Birth centers often offer a more individualized approach, allowing for greater flexibility in your birth plan.
What to Look for in a Birth Center Provider
- Credentials: Ensure that the midwives at the birth center are certified and licensed.
- Experience: Inquire about their experience with different types of births, including water births and other natural methods.
- Philosophy of Care: Understand the center’s approach to childbirth and ensure it aligns with your preferences.
Home Births
What is a Home Birth?
A home birth is when a woman chooses to give birth in the comfort of her own home, attended by a qualified midwife. This option allows for a highly personalized experience that can be tailored to the family’s desires.
Who is a Good Fit for a Home Birth?
- Comfort Seekers: If you value the familiarity and comfort of your home, a home birth can provide a relaxed environment.
- Low-Risk Pregnancies: Similar to birth centers, home births are best suited for low-risk pregnancies.
- Families Wanting Control: Home births offer families more control over their birthing experience, from the environment to the support team.
What to Look for in a Home Birth Provider
- Certification and Experience: Ensure your midwife is certified and has experience with home births.
- Emergency Preparedness: Discuss the midwife’s plan for emergencies and how they handle potential complications.
- Compatibility: It’s essential to have a good rapport with your midwife. Schedule a consultation to discuss your birth plan and see how comfortable you feel communicating with them.
Photo Credit: Christina Baltazar | Fresno Maternity Photographer
Midwives in Fresno, CA
Whether you are choosing to birth at a birth center or at home, I highly encourage you to interview a licensed midwife to attend your birth. A Licensed Midwife is a medical professional licensed by the Medical Board of California. They are trained to care for you through normal, low-risk pregnancy and birth. They are licensed to provide comprehensive well-woman, prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care.
The following are licensed midwives in Fresno, CA that serve the Central Valley. I have personally worked with Rebekah Hammer for my homebirth of my 5th baby, and subsequently with Lacey & Glenna for Fresno Midwifery during the prenatal care during my 6th pregnancy & postpartum care. Had I not gone into pre-term labor, I would have had another home birth.
1. Rebekah Hammer, Licensed Midwife, CPM
Rebekah is a Licensed Midwife from Auberry, CA and serves families in the Fresno, CA area. She personally attended my own home birth of my 5th baby, and I cannot recommend her enough. She is also the owner of, "Family Birth & Education Center". There are regular educational meetings held at the center, and they will soon be opening for births as well. She is also a part of Intuitive Midwifery.
2. Fresno Birth Midwifery - Lacey Chastain & Glenna McMillan
With offices in both Fresno and Visalia, CA Lacey & Glenna team up to provide not only care for their home birth clients, but to also merge the gap of prenatal care in Visalia, CA. If you're in search of a provider focused on natural birth and pregnancy care in Visalia especially with the pregnancy care crisis in the city, I highly recommend reaching out to these ladies. They both cared for me during my 6th pregnancy and were wonderful to work with. Lacey was also part of my birth team with Baby #5 as she completed her hours to become a Licensed Midwife.
3. Alexandra "Alex" Michele-DePastene, Licensed Midwife, CPM
Alex is a highly experienced and well known midwife in the Fresno, CA area. She is highly in demand and has a wonderful reputation for care. You can contact her directly at: alexandra.midwife@gmail.com
4. Molly Parker, Licensed Midwife, CPM
Molly first began her birth career as a doula for 9 years and recently become a Licensed Midwife. She helped over 80 families during their births and then attended Mercy in Action College of Midwifery. Molly is part of the team of Fresno Birth & Baby.
Choosing the right place to give birth is a deeply personal decision that can significantly impact your experience. Whether you opt for the supportive environment of a birth center or the comfort of home, both options offer unique benefits for families seeking a more personalized approach to childbirth.
As you explore these alternatives, take the time to research and connect with providers who align with your values and preferences. Your journey into parenthood deserves to be celebrated in a way that feels right for you and your family! Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll discuss what a Birth Doula is and provide you a list of local resources to help you!
