Alternative birth center refers to a hospital birthing room or other independent facility that provides a homelike atmosphere for childbirth but still makes medical technology available.
An alternative birth center (ABC) is a healthcare facility that provides a setting for women to give birth in a home-like environment outside of a hospital. ABCs are often run by midwives and offer a range of services including prenatal care, childbirth education, and postpartum care.
Examples of alternative birth centers include:
-
Birth centers located within hospitals: These centers offer the benefits of a hospital birth center while still providing a more home-like atmosphere.
-
Freestanding birth centers: These centers are not located within a hospital and typically offer a more holistic and natural approach to childbirth.
-
Home birth: While not technically an alternative birth center, many women choose to give birth in their own homes with the assistance of a midwife or other healthcare provider.