Services
Panhandle Birth Center offers noninvasive prenatal screening, lab work and untrasounds and complete prenatal care. But above all else we support and respect your autonomy.
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Prenatal care, Midwifery care during Pregnancy and Birth
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Postpartum & newborn care for the first six weeks after birth
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Lab Work
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Doula services
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Postpartum and Newborn Care
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IUD Removal
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well woman care
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STD Screening
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Placenta Encapsulation
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Childbirth Education
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Breast Feeding Support
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Natural family planning
First Trimester
Prenatal Screening Tests can identify whether your baby is likely to have certain birth defects, many of which are genetic disorders. These tests usually include blood tests, a specific type of ultrasound and prenatal cell-free DNA screening.
Antenatal Testing describes procedures performed during pregnancy to detect health problems in you or your growing baby. It establishes characteristics such as fetal age, sex, or weight. For you, it may mean catching problems early and having a good base line, should problems arise later on in your pregnancy.
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Initial Blood Work or Prenatal Panel, includes your blood type and Rh factor, your blood count, and the status of your immune system. There are several infectious tests we check for: syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, rubella immunity, anemia, bacteria in the urine.
Second Trimester
A Level 2 Ultrasound, also called an Anatomy Scan, is a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy and development. It is a much more in-depth evaluation of the fetus than the ultrasound you had in your first trimester. This diagnostic ultrasound examination is usually performed at 18-22 weeks gestational age.
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RH Antibody Screen checks your immune system to see if your red blood cells are different from your baby's, which may cause problems. By far, the most common difference is related to the + or - part of your blood type, called the Rh factor. We take a look and make sure this isn’t an issue.
Gestational Diabetes Screen checks blood sugar levels. If you're at average risk of gestational diabetes, you'll likely have a screening test during your second trimester between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you're at high risk of diabetes, such as family history or obesity, we may recommend testing for diabetes early in pregnancy.
Third Trimester
Group B streptococcus (GBS) Screens for the presence of group B streptococcus (GBS) in the vagina and rectum to determine the risk that the mother will pass the bacteria to her newborn during labor and delivery, possibly resulting in a serious infection in her newborn called early-onset GBS. Your antibody may be checked if you are Rh negative. A second hemoglobin and hematocrit may also be done to check for anemia.
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Labor and Birth
We will have a general idea of when to expect the baby. When your labor begins or if your water breaks, you will call Panhandle Birth Services and let us know.
While in labor you are free to move, eat and drink; and are encourage to do so.
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During active labor, we will be listening to the fetal heart tones of your baby. We also listen during the pushing stage to ensure your baby is handling labor well. We encourage pushing in whatever position is comfortable for you and baby. We attentively keep an eye on mom and baby and make recommendations to make the birth as smooth as possible. Once you give birth, the umbilical cord is rarely cut until your placenta delivers. Leaving this cord intact ensures that your baby has gotten their full blood supply.
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More women are wanting water birth. Water birth helps to soften tissues making tearing less likely. Here's a link to the pros and cons of water birth, and the research that has been done.
We provide the Passage Pool, included in your birth kit, brand new and in the box. There is no liner to purchase, and this pool is yours to keep.
At Panhandle Birth Center we deliver your birth your way.
After the birth, we take vital signs of the newborn and mother. We consistently assess and chart both for the first three hours after birth. We make the mother and child comfortable and allow time to bond while doing this. After the charting is complete, and we feel both mom and baby are stable, we provide postpartum care instructions in great detail and leave the birth area clean. Finally, to make sure that you are completely confident in our postpartum care, we provide 24/7 phone support through calling and texting.
After birth, we generally see clients at 36 hours, again at 5 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. During these visits, we recommend newborn screenings and screen for critical congenital heart defects. Birth Certificates are certified within 5 days of your baby's birth and can be picked up after being registered with the state at your local vital statistic office.
Previous Cesarean Section
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, or ICAN, is a great resource for women who are considering a vaginal birth after a C-section.
We can assist you with your vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC).
Click here to learn more about a vaginal birth after a caesarean section and get information and support from others.
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Sneak Peek Early Gender
We also offer Sneak Peek Early Gender DNA testing at Panhandle Birth Services. Discover your baby's gender as early as 8 weeks with 99.1% accuracy. The tests are quick, easy and results come straight to you in just a few days.
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Click here to learn more!
We start by setting an appointment for a free consultation. We have these consultations at either your home or our office, where we can relax and talk. During this consultation, we will address your questions and concerns as well as address any specific birthing or care needs you may have.
Message us today to set up your free consultation.