This video from GritTV was inspired by the recent closing of Bellevue Birth Center, the only birth center in New York City serving women on Medicare. Bellevue Birth Center had a <4% cesarean delivery rate vs. the greater than 30% rate in other New York City hospitals. In addition to discussion of the birth center, this video includes discussion of induction of labor, our topic of the week, doula labor support, and many other topics that are popular here.

Key takeaway (one of many): Inductions don’t work if the cervix isn’t ready anyway. (Google “Bishop Score” for more information on how cervix favorability is measured)

Great quote from Elan McAllister, president and founder of Choices in Childbirth when describing a natural birth center, ”You’re gonna be surrounded by a staff that fully supports your choice to birth naturally….Every face that you look into believes in you. Everyone who’s in that room knows that you can birth this baby. Culture of confidence and belief and faith that is, I believe, the single most important ingredient. You can pretty up a room, and that’s one thing, but it’s that culture of faith…”

By the way, the movie clip at the very beginning is from the documentary Orgasmic Birth, an HDNYC top 6 book and dvd pick. It is an amazing film with great information and positive, realistic images of natural childbirth.