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? 

- Planned Homebirth

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

- 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.  

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