Why Doesn’t Vermont Have Any Freestanding Birth Centers & Why Are Birth Centers So Important?
As it stands, Vermont families can give birth at home or in the hospital. So you may ask: Why isn’t there an option in the middle?
In many other states, all but eight states, with Vermont being one of them, to be exact. A freestanding birth center is a great choice for low-risk birthing people. Freestanding birth centers are healthcare facilities that provide a homelike environment for childbirth, offering a comfortable and non-clinical atmosphere. They are typically run by Professional Midwives (CPMs) or Nurse Midwives (CNMs) who specialize in low-risk, physiologic births and prioritize the holistic well-being of the whole family.
Why doesn’t Vermont have a Freestanding Birth Center?
In Vermont, there are barriers to anyone who tries to open a birth center that my the process impossible from a time and finical standpoint. This red tape needs to be removed for midwives to move forward and be able to open a Freestanding Birth Center on Vermont Soil. You can learn more about these obstacles by listening to the episode “Why doesn't Vermont have freestanding birth centers?” on the Brave Little State podcast.
What is being done about this?
There is currently a bill that The Vermont Birth Center Coalition is working hard to move through the legislature that would eliminate the barriers to opening a birth canter.
There is also a perception that birth centers are unsafe or not a reasonable option for families. This is not true; in fact, the research says the opposite. There are many benefits to giving birth in a birth center. It is shown to be a safe option that facilitates outcomes that are at least as safe as hospital birth. This misconception that birth outside of a hospital is unsafe needs to be dispelled, as its false and misleading.
Benefits of Freestanding Birth Centers:
Lower Intervention Rates: Freestanding birth centers focus on supporting the physiological process of childbirth, aiming to minimize unnecessary medical interventions. Studies have shown that folks who give birth in birth centers have lower rates of interventions such as cesarean sections, episiotomies, and epidural anesthesia while maintaining excellent safety outcomes for low-risk pregnancies.
Personalized and Holistic Care: Freestanding birth centers focus on providing individualized care to expectant folks. The midwifery model of care emphasizes building strong relationships between midwives and their clients, ensuring personalized attention, emotional support, and continuity of care throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
Birthing Environment: The home-like atmosphere of freestanding birth centers promotes relaxation, reducing anxiety and stress. The comfortable surroundings, with amenities like large birthing tubs, soft lighting, and soft furniture, create a calming ambiance that aids labor progression.
Empowerment and Autonomy: Freestanding birth centers empower families to participate actively in their birth experience. People are encouraged to make informed decisions regarding their birth plans, including the freedom to choose positions, use water immersion for pain relief, and engage in natural birthing techniques. This autonomy can contribute to a positive and empowering childbirth experience.
Safety of Freestanding Birth Centers
Many people worry about safety in childbirth and are concerned about what birth outside of the hospital space may look like. Safety is paramount in any birth setting, including freestanding birth centers. While these centers cater to low-risk pregnancies, they adhere to rigorous safety protocols to ensure the well-being of the birthing person and baby. They maintain close collaboration with nearby hospitals and have established transfer plans, ensuring a smooth transition in the rare event of complications or emergencies.
The midwives in freestanding birth centers are trained and licensed professionals who can identify potential risks and make appropriate hospital referrals if needed. This collaborative approach ensures that birthing humans and newborns receive the required medical attention promptly when its nessicasy. This provides an effective safety net for those rare instances when medical intervention does become necessary.
The White House recently stated in a bulletin that free-standing Birth Centers, more midwives, and more doulas are key to improving maternal outcomes in the US.
Now that you know what a freestanding birth center is, what are some barriers to opening one, what are the benefits, and how the safety of families is critical, please help us by using your voice.
How you can help:
Share about Freestanding Birth Centers:
Post on your social media or tell a friend about Freestanding birth centers! Many people don’t know that should be an option in Vermont. Your voice is powerful and informs others about the importance of options for pregnant Vermont families.
Email your local legislator and tell them you support Bill H.80:
Please take five minutes to contact your legislator to let them know why you believe that Vermont should have freestanding birth centers. Only send e-mails to your town’s legislator.
A legislative committee on Healthcare will be the ones to help this bill or turn it down. If you are not a resident of the town of any of the legislators listed below, please email them and urge them to support Bill H.80.
If you know of someone who is a resident in the town of one of the legislators below, reach out to your friend and tell them to send an e-mail.
You can search and find the contact information for all Vermont Legislators with this link.
House Committee on Healthcare
Rep. Lori Houghton, Chair (D), Essex Junction, VT
Rep. Francis McFaun, Vice Chair (R), Barre, VT
Rep. Alyssa Black, Ranking Member (D), Westford, Essex, VT
Rep. Daisy Berbeco (D), Winooski, VT
Rep. Brian Cina (P/D), Burlington, VT
Rep. Mari Cordes, Clerk (D), Lincoln, VT
Rep. Allen "Penny" Demar (R), Enosburg Falls, Montgomery, VT
Rep. Bobby Farlice-Rubio (D), Barnet, Ryegate, Waterford, VT
Rep. Leslie Goldman (D), Bellow Falls, Brookline, Rockingham, Westminster, VT
Rep. Arthur Peterson (R), Clarendon, Wallingford, West Rutland, VT