About Us
The Missoula Birth Center
Who We Are
Welcome to The Missoula Birth Center at Origin Health (MBC)! We are an independent, free standing birth center located in Missoula, Montana. We are staffed by the lovely Certified Nurse Midwives and nurses/birth assistants of Missoula’s Roots Birth and Women’s Health.
This project would not be possible without the support of Dr. Bardett Fausett of Origin Health, or the work of prior local birth center owner, Jeanne Hebl, CNM.
Meet The Missoula Midwives
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie Lighter
Certified Nurse Midwife
Meet Erin
Erin Pence
Certified Nurse Midwife
Meet Kathy
Kathy Crowley-Haywood
Certified Nurse Midwife
Meet Brittany
Brittany Ross
Certified Nurse Midwife
Meet Jackie
Jackie McMahon
Certified Nurse Midwife
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth center?
According to the American Association of Birth Centers, “The birth center is a health care facility for childbirth where care is provided in the midwifery and wellness model. The birth center is freestanding and not a hospital.” Want to learn more? Read on here.
What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified Nurse-Midwives are independent healthcare providers who care for women through all stages of life, just like an Ob/Gyn. However, we differ in philosophy and scope of practice. As midwives, we view pregnancy and women’s health as normal, physiologic processes. Our care is holistic and focuses on the unique needs of each individual and their family. We tend to spend more time with our patients and have a deeper emphasis on education and shared decision-making. During labor and birth, we provide hands-on support to our patients, using many different comfort measures. Unlike Ob/Gyns, we do not do surgery. So, we will refer you to a physician if you need a cesarean birth or other surgery. Certified Nurse Midwives are different from Licensed Midwives, who only deliver out of hospital and tend to have a narrower scope of practice.
I’m already seeing another provider, can I transfer care?
Absolutely. We believe that everyone has the right to prenatal and birth care that aligns with their hopes and values. Before transferring care, we recommend scheduling a free meet and greet to confirm that you meet our “low risk” criteria for birth center care. Even if you are not eligible for the birth center, you may still be able to transfer to the Roots Midwives for a planned hospital delivery. If you are considering a transfer, we encourage calling sooner rather than later, to allow us plenty of time to determine your eligibility and orient you to the birth center setting, as well as give you time to get to know each member of our midwifery team.
Who will take care of me in labor? Do I get to pick my midwife?
At Roots Birth and Women’s Health, we have a team-based approach to prenatal and birth care. We always have 2 midwives on call, one for the hospital and one for the birth center. We encourage you to rotate through the midwives during prenatal care, as you do not have control over who is on call when you go into labor. In addition to your midwife, a nurse or birth assistant will be present for your baby’s birth and then remain with you at the birth center until you are ready to go home.
What pain management options are available at the birth center?
- We have a wide range of non-medication options for pain management in labor. Your midwife will help you with various movements and position changes utilizing tools such as birth balls, birth slings, and a comfortable bed. We also have large tubs. You are welcome to bring a TENS unit if desired, as well as any music or items from home that might help you feel more relaxed. We also have nitrous oxide available. After delivery, we have lidocaine injections available if you need suturing.
- If you need or desire IV pain medication or an epidural in labor, your midwife will facilitate a transfer to Community Medical Center, where you can continue to receive midwifery care.
What If I risk out of the birth center or need to transfer during labor?
We value safety and transparency, and follow clear eligibility guidelines for birth center delivery. If you or your baby need to be transferred to the hospital, your midwife will accompany you to Community Medical Center and continue to care for you. In the event of a medically indicated transfer, we will involve our OB on call. While most transfers are non-emergent and do not require an ambulance, in the case of an emergent transfer we will contact EMS.
How much does your care cost? Do you take insurance?
We are in network with most insurance companies (including Medicaid) and can also provide cost estimates for self-pay patients. In general, if you are paying out of pocket, a birth center delivery costs significantly less than a hospital delivery. Feel free to call our office and speak with one of our billing personnel if you have additional questions.
What about labs and ultrasounds?
Certified Nurse-Midwives have full prescriptive authority in the state of Montana. We recommend the same standard prenatal lab panel as most providers and also recommend the 28-week diabetes/anemia screenings, as well as screening for Group B Strep at 36 weeks. We can collect all labs in house. We recommend an initial dating ultrasound and require a 20-week anatomy screening for all birth center patients. Additional ultrasounds may be recommended based on your unique pregnancy. All pregnancy related ultrasounds are performed in our office with trained sonographers.
Get In Touch
Address
2831 Fort Missoula Road, Building 2, Suite 232, Missoula, MT 59804
Phone Number
(406) 523-5650
FAX Number
(833) 399-2562