Prenatal, Labor & Postpartum
The following is an outline of the services, policies and procedures available at the Greenbank Birth Center. If you have any questions or concerns about the following information or would like any aspect of your care described in more detail, please do not hesitate to ask your midwife.
The schedule of care is as follows:
- An initial visit to get to know one another and see if we can work together to offer you what you want for your family and your baby.
- A second visit to include a full physical exam, obtaining laboratory specimens and an in- depth interview on your medical history.
- Prenatal check-ups once a month for the first seven months, twice a month during the eighth month and weekly thereafter until delivery. We will meet more often if complications occur.
- One prenatal visit in your home or at the birth center at 37 weeks.
- Attendance at your labor and birth.
- Administration of RhIG (immune globulin) within 72 hours of delivery for an Rh negative woman whose newborn is Rh positive.
- Postpartum visits in your home on or about days one, three and seven.
- A PKU and Thyroid screening test done on the baby at 48 hours and again on day 7, usually at your home.
- The birth certificate will be filed by the Greenbank Birth Center in a timely manner.
- A six week postpartum visit for mother. This visit will include family planning services if needed.
- 24 hour availability by way of telephone or pager.
At your birth generally will be emergency equipment and supplies necessary for a safe birth. This includes prescription drugs to control hemorrhage, oxygen for baby and mother, suture supplies in case of tears or episiotomy, and electronic Doppler for monitoring the fetal heart rate during labor.
For the newborn, Vitamin K for the prevention of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn and antibiotic cream for the prevention of ocular gonorrhea and/or ocular chlamydia will generally be available. Every provider at the Greenbank Women's Clinic and Birth Center, Ltd. is certified in Neonatal Resuscitation, has current Adult CPR certification, and undergoes a background check with the Washington State Patrol and a negative TB screen.
