Our Birthplace providers include: 

• Certified nurse midwives
• Family medicine providers who specialize in obstetrics
• OB/GYNs

Private doulas are welcome at all Birthplace locations. Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support through pregnancy and birth. The Birthplace at M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital and M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center also offer doula programs, providing in-house access to doulas.

We also offer the largest midwifery program in the tri-state region, with 40+ certified nurse midwives practicing at five of our seven Birthplace locations. Our certified nurse midwives lead with evidence-based, family-centered, and empowering care – providing you with a personalized holistic approach from your first prenatal visit through delivery and postpartum care. Learn more.

At the Birthplace, our team is here to help you bring your child into the world in the best way for you. We offer a range of supportive birthing techniques, including:

• Water births
• Hydrotherapy, also known as warm-water immersion during labor
• Labor slings
• Birthing balls
• Peanut balls
• Squatting bars
• Essential oils 

For information about the birthing options available to you, contact your preferred Birthplace location.

We offer a variety of pain management options during labor. They include:

• Labor support
• Clinical aromatherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Birthing balls, peanut balls, and slings to assist labor
• Nitrous oxide
• Epidural blocks
• IV pain medication

If your pregnancy is medically complicated, you are expecting multiple babies, or require a closer oversight during and after pregnancy, M Health Fairview has Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centers across the region. Our providers specialize in high risk, medically complicated pregnancies, and partner with primary OBGYNs to create treatment plans to keep you and your baby safe before, during, and after delivery. Learn more

If your baby is born early or needs extra care, it’s comforting to know that M Health Fairview Pediatrics offers access to the highest level of neonatal intensive care available in the state at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.

Using new Tele-NICU virtual technology, our neonatology experts are instantly available 24/7, ready to provide specialized on-demand support at any Birthplace location if a family unexpectedly needs advanced care. Learn more

Yes. We’re here to support you as you begin your breastfeeding journey with your new little one. Our certified lactation consultants and experienced postpartum nurses specially trained in breastfeeding are available to support new parents. Certified lactation consultants can help families with a variety of situations, both during the hospital stay and on an ongoing basis at several of our clinic locations.

Learn more about our lactation specialists.

Childbirth, breastfeeding support, and parenting classes are offered at some of our locations.

Each of our Birthplaces is unique, but all of them offer a range of family-friendly amenities and beautiful, serene surroundings. They include:

• Private rooms
• Water births
• Hydrotherapy, also known as warm-water immersion, during labor
• Labor slings
• Therapeutic labor techniques and support tools, including birthing balls, peanut balls, squatting bars, and essential oils 
• A full range of pain relief options, including epidural anesthesia as well as nitrous oxide
• Free Wi-Fi
• Newborn portrait sessions
• Large, comfortable postpartum rooms with refrigerators and large-screen TVs
• Private bathrooms with soothing soaking tubs
• Kangaroo Care for skin-to-skin contact
• Delayed umbilical cord clamping, which has been shown to have significant health benefits for newborns
• Breastfeeding support

Cesarean births (also known as c-sections) can be lifesaving for pregnant people and babies during a high-risk pregnancy, or when something unexpected happens at childbirth. In a cesarean birth, the baby is born surgically through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. Cesareans can be planned ahead of time, or they can be done because of a complication during labor.

Cesarean births are not medically necessary for most people, and a single cesarean birth increases the risk for repeat cesareans with future pregnancies. For that reason, M Health Fairview has started a systemwide care mapping effort to promote safe vaginal births and reduce the cesarean birth rate to 23.6% for low-risk, first-time mothers. Our approach involves options for monitoring the baby before birth, use of movement techniques and birthing aids to promote healthy vaginal delivery, and other changes to promote the best-possible outcomes for pregnant people and babies.

Pregnancy-related hypertension, or high blood pressure, often starts in the second half of pregnancy. It can raise the risk of serious medical complications like preeclampsia, seizures, or stroke. Our health system has launched a comprehensive effort focused on reducing the risk of hypertension during pregnancy. If you have hypertension, our Birthplace care teams can diagnose it early and help you manage it from the earliest stages of pregnancy to after birth and beyond. We will work with you to create a care plan tailored to your needs. This plan might include medication, home blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy, and other techniques depending on your unique situation.

At M Health Fairview, we encourage you to share your birth plan with your care team as early as possible. Once you are attending regular prenatal appointments, you can begin to discuss your care preferences, including your birth plan. We offer a variety of options to customize your birth experience, including a number of pain management options, birthing positions, and additional comforts like the use of essential oils or birthing balls. Our team is here to support your preferences while keeping your safety and comfort our top priorities.

Yes, you can receive an epidural at our birth centers. While epidural anesthesia is available at a selection of our locations, please note that, in general, non-hospital birth centers offer a more natural approach to childbirth, focusing on less medical intervention. Based on your desired birth plan and medical needs, we can work with you to determine your best options.

Birthing centers are typically more affordable when compared to hospitals due to lower overhead costs and fewer medical intervention offerings. This being said, the cost can vary depending on your specific circumstances, including your insurance coverage and if complications arise during your birth. Our team of experts can help you understand what your costs might look like at our birthing centers with your insurance coverage to help you make the best decision for your family.

As is the case with a typical labor and delivery hospital, the length of your stay after giving birth at a birthing center varies depending on your health and the health of your baby. If there are no complications, you may be discharged within 24 to 48 hours. However, if additional care is needed or you prefer a longer stay for recovery, our team can work with you to ensure you are comfortable and well taken care of for the extent of your stay.