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Answers to your Questions

How do I pay for an out of hospital birth?

  • We accept most Insurances, including Medicaid for antenatal care 
  • Self-pay options are available, payment due in full no later than 32 weeks gestation 
  • For birth at the Obgyne Birth Center, self-pay cost or if your insurance does not cover is total cost is $ 5000.00 facility fee and professional fee $2,500.00; for a total cost of $7,500.00 
  • Compare to Georgia home birth ~$ 8,500.00 (no birth center amenities) vs. hospital birth ~ $ 22,500.00 $ 30,000.00 

A registration fee of $700.00 is required to reserve delivery/birth at the birth center. The registration fee is due when scheduling physical orientation to the birth center. 

None of our fees or charges are refundable 

***Registration fee discussed in detail at Financial Planning Meeting***

***Financial Assistance available based on a sliding Fee Discount Program Policy ***

What happens if there is an emergency?

  • Emergency care is ~1% which means that most cases in need of transfer are non-emergent (augmentation such as pitocin/ pain relief such as epidural) 
  • Having a physician-led birth center allows seamless and respectful hospital transfers
  • Transfers will be accepted at Coliseum Medical Center, or can also go to Navicent Hospital
  • In the case of Cesarean Birth will be offered at these hospitals 

Who is a good candidate for birthing in a birth center?

  • Totally low risk 'A-OK' pregnancy 
  • Must be no greater than 28 weeks gestation to transfer care to the birth center with prenatal records and medical history (*** Co- care may be performed with your obstetric provider for patients that live several miles away, with review of records at each visit****
  • Circumstances that are contraindications for a birth center birth include (not an exhaustive list): 
    • Primigravida (first delivery/birth)* 
    • Multiples (twins, etc...) 
    • VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) 
    • Placenta previa 
    • Blood pressure issues or pregnancy diabetes 
    • Breech presentation 
    • Pregnancies that occur before 16 years of age or after 36 years of age* 

What's it like to have a baby in a birth center?

  • Only low risk women will have the opportunity to birth in the Obgyne Birth Center (restrictions are requirements of State of Georgia rules and regulations) 
  • No IV pain meds (narcotics) or epidurals 
  • To help reduce the use of pain medications the midwives encourage the support of a dedicated birth partner and the professional support of a Birth Doula (** A Birth Doula may be made available for you at no cost based on a sliding Fee Discount Policy program****) 
  • You are encouraged to utilize different tools and techniques to stay comfortable during labor such as: Rebozo, aromatherapy, music, hypnosis, acupressure, imagery 
  • Hydrotherapy - use of showers, birth tub and birth pools (lined) 
  • There are 3 garden birth suites, one with a standing birth tub and two with portable, inflatable pools to be used for labor and birth 
  • Postpartum discharge occurs within 4-8 hours 
  • The midwives will visit you at home (or nearby hotel) around 24-72 hours (depending on patient preference and location); or perform a Telehealth visit; postpartum visits may also be scheduled at the Birth Center

Who are your care providers?

  • Medical Director: Dr. Bola Sogade, MD Board Certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Family Medicine. Member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) 
  • Midwives, all the midwives at Obgyne Birth Center are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). They have received a Bachelor's in Nursing and a Masters Degree in Midwifery.CNMs are also members of the American College of Nurse Midwives 
  • ObGyn doctors, MDs 
  • All of the MDs and CNMs at the Obgyne Birth Center are credentialed in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), as well as Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).
  • Obgyne Birth Center team provides 24/7 call coverage for our approved patients