FAQs
Who is an ideal candidate for a birth at Burr Ridge Birth Center?
Pregnant people who are:
actively engaged in their own healthcare
are ready to advocate for themselves and are interested and open to learning
are committed to preparing for a low-intervention, unmedicated birthing experience by participating in the following required classes:
For first-time birthing parents, a full childbirth education class/series is necessary, either through BRBC’s Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class series or a similar comprehensive offering in the community (we have recommendations!).
Our What If? class is a one-time offering for all clients that explores what your ideal birth plan could look like, details the differences a birth in a birth center would involve, discusses what birth can look like if it involves a hospital transfer, and covers all of the initial postpartum and newborn details that are important to know in your first 24-48 hours at home.
How late can I transfer care to BRBC?
Ideally, we hope that most clients who plan to transfer to us later in their pregnancy do so by their 3rd trimester.
Pregnant people who wish to transfer after that point need to share a copy of their medical records when making their first appointment.
Anyone birthing for the first time and transferring in their 3rd trimester also needs to have plans for taking childbirth education, as it’s a requirement for care for all first-time birthing clients.
Will I be cared for by a midwife or an obstetrician?
Burr Ridge Birth Center is a midwife-led care environment, which means all appointments as well as births are guided by the compassionate and knowledgeable hands, hearts and minds of Certified Nurse Midwives and our Director of Midwifery. In addition, our Medical Director is a deeply experienced obstetrician/gynecologist that our midwives are able to consult with regarding client health concerns.
Any clients who have health contraindications with low-risk birth center care at any point during their pregnancy will be referred to an OB/GYN in the community for further care.
What are the costs to birth at BRBC?
Costs for birth services are discussed here on this page, will be discussed during our Birth Center Tour and will be extensively reviewed for out-of-pocket costs with our office manager at your first prenatal appointment.
What are your precautions for COVID-19?
As the CDC regards all pregnant people as high risk persons, it is especially important that we take great care of our clients, our staff and our facility.
We will be screening everyone that enters the birth center for appointments as well as birth. We will not be testing clients during their birthing time for COVID-19 as we won't have the capabilities for rapid testing--we will instead be working on self-reported symptoms, exposure and temperature checks.
Clients who are symptomatic or recently exposed will have their visits readjusted to telehealth appointments as they isolate. Clients who are in labor and symptomatic would automatically be referred to our transfer partner, AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale, for care during their birth.
We will all be using masks during appointments and consultations (clients and care providers) and then during the birthing time, all support people will also utilize masks. The birthing person will not need to wear one during this experience in their suite, but will need to wear a mask in the common areas of the birth center. Partners/main support person, if fully vaccinated, also do not need to wear a mask in the birth suite.
In addition, we will use all other proper hygiene and cleaning practices recommended by the CDC for the center and staff.
A more detailed outline of our COVID-19 precautions can be found here.
Can I use a doula during my birth, especially during COVID?
Yes, you can absolutely have a doula present at your birth with us! We view birth workers as ESSENTIAL and highly encourage our clients to find one that is just the right fit for them. Burr Ridge Birth Center does not employ or provide doulas, but we are happy to share referrals.
What is your visitor policy at this time?
As the risk of COVID-19 continues to improve, our current guidelines are:
Clients are encouraged to have their partner or support person present with them for in-person prenatal visits.
Clients can enjoy up to three support people AND a doula present during their labor and birth.
Children are welcome at BRBC during appointments! Children may also be present during the birth, but they do need a dedicated adult for support (that is not the partner/main support person).
Can I have a water birth? Are they safe?
Yes! Our clients are welcome to use the permanent tubs in our birth suites for water immersion and can birth in them, too. They’re roomy enough for partners to join in support, as well!
As for safety, studies have shown that “laboring in water poses no extra risks to birthing parent or baby and helps relieve pain, leading to less use of pain medication”. In addition, studies have also found that birthing parents who labored in water had “less anxiety, better fetal positioning in the pelvis, less use of drugs to speed up labor, and were more satisfied with privacy and the ability to move around”! To learn more, Evidence Based Birth has compiled multiple resources on their website to evaluate risks and benefits from waterbirth studies.
Can I have a VBAC at Burr Ridge Birth Center?
We are unable to accept VBAC clients that are seeking prenatal and birth care at this time. We hope to reevaluate that restriction in the coming years! In the meantime, we are thrilled to refer families to VBAC-friendly providers and birth settings.
Will I be able to have ultrasounds in combination with my prenatal care?
Yes, we will be providing both first trimester ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy/estimate a due date and a 20 week sonogram (to evaluate fetal structure and health) at Burr Ridge Birth Center. Clients are required to participate in the 20 week scan in order to assure a low-risk pregnancy and be able to birth at the birth center.
What if I decide I want an epidural during my birthing time? What if I need an induction or augmentation with Pitocin?
Should a client desire an epidural at any point in their birthing time, we would need to establish a transport to our hospital partner, AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale, as well as a transfer of care to either the OMG midwife group or OB hospitalist on call as BRBC midwives do not have privileges there.
This sort of transport arrangement/transfer of care would also occur for a client who is in need of augmentation with Pitocin (i.e. their labor is prolonged and the midwife and client decide together against returning home to rest).
If a client becomes in need of a medical induction of labor for any reason, they would be referred for a transfer of care, most likely with the OMG midwife group out of AMITA Hinsdale or an OB if there were more complicating health concerns. Inductions are not included in the birth center scope of care.
We understand that any transfer of care can be stressful and disappointing, and our midwives will take every measure to encourage labor to start naturally.
Should an induction/cesarean birth/hospital transport be necessary, those clients are highly encouraged to continue connection and care with BRBC after their birth! Whether through reestablishing care during the postpartum period, utilizing our Lactation Consultant or joining our New Parent Support Group, you are always welcome here!
What is your plan in an emergency?
Burr Ridge Birth Center has a relationship with our local EMS in the event of a client or newborn transport to the hospital.
Our building has a private drive by the birthing suites (away from the front entrance) for EMS to enter the building, assist our family into the ambulance and take them to AdventHealth Hinsdale Hospital in a private, expedient manner.
Hinsdale is our dedicated transfer partner and we have a signed agreement for transfer care. They would be notified of a transfer at the same time EMS is contacted. BRBC is located 3 miles south of Hinsdale, which is about a 7 minute drive without lights and sirens.
Upon arrival, our clients would be streamlined through the ER to go right up to Labor & Delivery without delay. The OB hospitalist (obstetrician on-call for the unit) would assume care of our client, including taking charge of any emergent situations. For newborn support, Hinsdale’s Level 3 NICU team would assume care upon arrival to the ER.
We will have Medical Emergency Drills at BRBC on a quarterly basis, complete with mock situations, participation in live-time with our EMS and coordination with Hinsdale's ER & L&D units.
Client safety is our priority and we will be continuously reviewing our policies to make sure families receive the best care possible.
Can I choose what midwife I will have at my birth?
While we would hope a great match between all of our midwives, it’s understandable that clients may feel a special connection with one in particular. Due to our the nature of our call schedules, we are unable to accommodate requests.
Is Burr Ridge Birth Center Licensed and Accredited?
Yes! Burr Ridge Birth Center is both licensed by the state of Illinos, and is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers.