Keeping You Safe > Guidelines & Requirements
To ensure every family has a healthy and positive experience, the mother is required to:
- Be in good health
- Be cared for by an obstetrician, family physician or certified nurse midwife with obstetrical privileges at Providence Hospital who is willing to attend the birth
- Complete prenatal forms with her physician or midwife who submits the information to the Unit
- Remain at low risk throughout her prenatal development and during labor
- Complete Alternative Birth Care orientation class which includes Alternative Birth Care Unit procedures
- Attend a prepared childbirth class series
- Agree to immediate transfer into Labor and Delivery should the midwife, doctor or nursing staff decide it is necessary
Factors which could indicate exclusion from the Alternative Birth Care Program:
- Premature labor (less than 36 weeks’ gestation)
- Postmature labor (greater than 42 weeks’ gestation)
- Premature rupture of membranes – more than 18 hours before the onset of labor
- Breech fetal position
- Twins
- Fetal distress
- Estimated fetal weight of less than 5lbs. 8oz. or more than 9lbs. 12oz.
- High blood pressure – during labor or after birth (greater than 140/90)
- Failure to progress in labor as determined by your physician or certified nurse midwife
- Prolapsed cord
- Unusual bleeding during labor or after birth
- Excessive protein in urine
- Symptoms of infection
- Any condition requiring more than 24 hours of observation after birth
Your admission to the Alternative Birth Care Unit is at the discretion of your provider and may include other conditions and criteria not discussed on this website.
