1.) I am going to a doctor. Can I have my baby at the birth center?

There is nothing in the Arbour Birth Center policies which would prevent a physician from using the birth center. However, there are no physicians in Calgary, at this time, who will do out-of-hospital births. This means that you will need to be in the care of a registered midwife.

2.) Do I need to bring sanitary napkins and diapers to the birth center like the hospital?

No. The birth center stocks sanitary napkins and diapers. You will need to bring personal items such as clothes, toiletries and baby clothes.

3.) What equipment is kept at the birth center?

The birth center is furnished with all of the equipment required by the Midwifery Standards of Competency and Practice for out of hospital births. This includes: oxygen equipment for mother and baby, resuscitation equipment for baby, a means of keeping baby warm, supplies to start an intravenous drip, medications to control bleeding, and equipment and supplies for suturing.

4) How many people am I allowed to have with me? Top of Page

First, it is not an issue of the birth center controlling this. The mother is the person who makes the decisions. She decides who she will have with her. She can have as few or as many people as she wishes.

5.) Can I bring my child(ren)?

Children are welcome at the Arbour Birth Center. We strongly advise that you have a responsible adult who is there only to look after the needs of the child(ren).

6.) What happens when I go into labour?

When you go into labour, you call your midwife. She will assess you and between the two of you, you will decide when the time is right to go to the birth center. Each midwife has a key to the birth center. She will meet you there, let you in and provide ongoing care.

7.) What happens when I am in labour? Is there someone there all the time?

When you are in labour you contact your midwife. She will meet you at the birth center when it is time for you to come. Each midwife has a key to the facility. The birth center does not keep staff in the facility at all times.

8.) How is the birth center staffed? Top of Page

The birth center has a director, an administrator and several people responsible for cleaning when are in the birth center when there is work to be done. The birth center is not staffed 24 hours a day. Each registered midwife has a key. When a mother goes into labour, she notifies her midwife. When it is time to go into the birth center, the midwife will meet her there.

9.) Can I use other services such as chiropractic or acupuncture during my labour at the birth center?

Yes. These are services and people that you have chosen. You invite or contract with them to be a part of your birth team. You are the one who decides who will be with you.

10.) What if something goes wrong?

Midwives are skilled in picking up problems early and dealing with them. Often the problem can be corrected. If there is a concern, but mother and baby are in no danger, then they transfer into hospital by private vehicle with the midwife following. If either mother or baby are at risk (which is rare), then EMS is called. There are two ambulance stations close to the birth center. Response times are short. The paramedics work with the midwives to transfer the mother to the Foothills Hospital quickly and efficiently. One midwife accompanies the mother to the hospital. The travel time to Foothills Hospital is 5 minutes. This does not include response time and preparation for transfer. Foothills Hospital is the referral center for obstetrics. They have obstetricians, pediatricians and anesthetists in the building at all times so emergencies can be dealt with promptly.

11.) How long can I stay at the birth center after the baby is born? Top of Page

The average length of stay is 3 to 4 hours. However, is there is a concern about either mother or baby you may stay up to 12 hours. If, after 12 hours, there is still a concern you would be transferred to hospital.

12.) Do you ever run out of hot water for the tub?

No. The birth center does not have a hot water tank as you would find in the average home, even though we look like a home. We have a commercial boiler. You should never run out of hot water.

13.) What about cleaning the tub?

Our tubs are air jetted, not water jetted. No water circulates through a pump somewhere under the tub. What this means is that we do not need to run harsh chemical through the water system and no residue will build up in the pipes. We use a two step method to surface clean our tubs. First we clean them with a common household cleaner containing bleach. After that we spray on a medical disinfectant and wipe that off. Then the tub is clean and ready for the next use.

14.) Can we use a birth plan? Top of Page

Midwives encourage mothers and their families to develop a birth plan. This serves several purposes. It encourages families to think about how they want their birth to go and to prepare for it. It is also a communication tool with the midwives. Through discussion of the birth plan midwives can find out if expectations are realistic or feasible. They can be sure that parents have thought about various options. At the time of labour, it can remind midwives about your various individual preferences so that they can do their best to see that you get the kind of birth they you want.