COLORADO SPRINGS — The beauty of childbirth is nothing short of a miracle, but that experience is looking a lot different these days because of COVID-19.
More and more expecting moms are considering changing where they'll give birth. Even midwives and birthing centers are seeing an uptick in interest from moms-to-be.
According to the midwives at the Beginnings Birth Center, not every mom they have heard from has switched birthing plans. Preparing for a delivery without an epidural shouldn't be done in a short period of time.
"We are trying to make it pretty clear that giving birth outside of the hospital, if you are not planning on it, isn't always necessarily a great idea," explained Clinical Director Jolene Hamann.
Hospitals around the country are also limiting how many people can be in a delivery room. Hamann says some women are choosing to give birth at home or a community center, so they can have their support system there.
"When you are with people you are comfortable with, you tend to be more comfortable doing the things your body is telling you to do," Hamann said. "A lot of people don't think they can possibly give birth without an epidural, but a lot of them could if they had the right support."
Like other hospitals and medical facilities, Beginnings Birth Center says medical equipment is in short supply. As of Saturday, the center had 40 masks left. They're also having to space out patient visits and communicate with expecting couples through Telehealth.
"We are allowing two healthy people with the laboring mom, and we are also taking everyone's temperatures who arrive, including our own."
Hamman says the center has also reached out to the Gov. Jared Polis, UCHealth, and other hospitals to offer their support. They are ready to offer space and beds, if and when that happens.
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