Frequently Asked Questions

Midwifery care is a holistic approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, focusing on the physiological process of birth and of women’s health in general. Midwives provide prenatal care, labor and birth support, “catch” the baby, give complete post birth care including mood and family planning help, all while emphasizing shared decision-making, education, family participation (to the degree you wish), and emotional support. We prescribe medications, order lab tests and ultrasounds, support optimal nourishment throughout the lifespan, a shoulder to cry on, and referrals and consultation with specialists as needed or desired.

Generally, individuals with low-risk pregnancies who prefer a less medical style of care are good candidates for birth center and midwifery care. This includes folks without contraindicated medical conditions that could complicate birth. Your eligibility will be assessed during your initial consultations with a midwife, and we can chat about that during your complementary tour to help you decide if this option is right for you.

Current evidence supports labor and birth outside of a hospital for those otherwise eligible,  if you have also ever had a vaginal birth before or after your one cesarean. Talk to us to see if your situation might be suitable for care at our center.

Benefits of choosing a birth center can include:

• Personalized Care: A focus on individualized attention and continuity of care.
• 24/7 access: to a midwife you know
• Relaxing Birth Environment specializing in unmedicated birth: A comfortable, homey setting designed to support physiological birth.

• Use of our tub: for comfort and relaxation in labor and often for the birth itself

• Lower Intervention Rates: minimization of routine medical interventions (continuous electronic fetal monitoring, epidurals, surgical births, and episiotomies), even if you need transfer to hospital care for some reason.
• Empowerment: It is not for us to “allow” you to eat in labor, use the tub, etc.  Rather, you allow us to be with you to guard and support your experience. We advise you along the way, and support you in making evidence-informed decisions about how your experience unfolds.

We at Cocoon provide a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Relaxed appointments at the birth center with ample time for all your questions
• A toy area for the big siblings during prenatal visits
• Holistic health support including evidence informed help with nutrition, supplements (ie vitamins), herbs, movement, and bodywork recommendations
• Labor and birth support
• Catching your baby onsite (“delivery” is for pizzas!)
• A deep tub for labor and/or birth
• Postpartum care for you and your baby, including care for most common complications. We routinely see you for three visits in the 6 weeks after birth.
• Childbirth classes
• Breastfeeding support group
• NYS Milkbank depot for donating your extra breastmilk
• A home visit to you and baby the day after birth, newborn screening tests
• Breastfeeding support, guidance, teaching and troubleshooting
• Family planning counseling and services
• Referrals to specialists when necessary
• Handling employment leave paperwork for your family (even grandparents!), your baby’s birth certificate, and taking cute baby footprints after the birth
• A short stay after the birth. You’ll usually be heading home within several hours of giving birth!
• Trauma aware care. We are non-judgemental and understand your needlephobia, PTSD, and medical fears. 
• Ordering medications, lab tests, ultrasounds, and coordination of care
• Comprehensive well-care throughout the lifespan: annual exams, pap tests, infection checks, breast exams, and basic primary care.

Birth center care has been shown to be a safe option for people, with outcomes comparable to hospital births and less than half the cesarean rate seen in comparable low-risk pregnancies. Birth centers have established protocols for transferring to a hospital if complications or contraindications arise, ensuring the safest and most appropriate care for you and baby. 

What if there's a complication? Well, that’s why you aren’t doing this at home alone on the couch!  We have detailed emergency plans and close relationships with local hospitals. If a something comes up that requires medical intervention beyond the scope of birth center care, a transfer to a hospital will be arranged swiftly and safely. Robert Packer Hospital is 7 minutes away by private vehicle and has 24/7 in-house midwives, obstetricians, and anesthesia providers. Most of our transfers can continue their care with the hospital midwives.

Most insurance plans cover birth center and midwifery care, though coverage varies. See our payment and insurance page for more information.

Schedule an informational complementary tour and consultation to get a feel for the center and meet the staff. Cocoon is the only nationally accredited birth center in a four hour radius, offering the only such option in our region.

Most of our clients live within an hour radius of the center, but some people have been willing to drive 90 minutes for this style of care.

For more detailed information or to discuss your specific needs, please schedule a consultation with our team. You can also refer to reputable midwifery and birth center associations for additional resources. https://www.birthcenters.org/

We are here to answer any further questions you may have and support you on your birthing journey.