Water Birth | Home Birth | Natural Birth | Antepartum | Delivery Day | Office Visits – Pregnancy | Operational
Water Birth
Q. Does Nile Women’s Healthcare support water birth?
A. Our practice along with WellStar North Fulton Hospital supports any woman’s decision to utilize natural birth options.
Q. What is a water birth?
A. Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub of warm water. The theory behind water birth is that since the baby has already been in the amniotic fluid sac for 40 weeks, birthing in a similar environment is gentler for the baby and less stressful for the mother. Warm water also promotes relaxation of the muscle which may decrease the pain sensation.
Q. Can I labor in the water and deliver outside of the tub?
A. Yes. We do suggest taking the waterbirth class if you are interested in laboring in water. Many women decide they want to stay in the water afterall. Also, the large inflatable tub will not be filled unless you have taken the waterbirth class.
Q. What factors would prevent me from having a water birth?
A. There are a few absolute qualifications for birthing in water at WellStar North Fulton:
- You must have a current waterbirth certificate (within 3 years)
- You must be at least 37 weeks gestation;
- Amniotic fluid must be clear and less than 24 hours since bag of water broke
- If positive for group beta strep (GBS) bacteria, you must have 1st dose of antibiotics before entering the tub
- Baby must have a 30 minute reassuring tracing (Category 1) before entering tub and must repeat tracing at least every 4 hours
- Baby must be head down
- No previous uterine surgery (including previous cesarean section)
- No significant risk factors can exist. Significant risk factors include but are not limited to:
- hypertension (high blood pressure),
- diabetes (gestational or otherwise) that requires you to take insulin,
- the use of anti-clotting medications that when the last dose was less than 24 hours prior.
- Any additional limitations may be determined by our doctors or hospital authority.
Q. Where are the water birth classes offered?
A. Classes are offered at North Fulton Hospital. The class reviews the history of water labor & waterbirth and North Fulton Hospital waterbirth policies. This is NOT a childbirth education class. Water birth certificates do not transfer between hospitals. You must take this class and have a certificate within the past 3 years in order to have the option of laboring & birthing in the large inflatable tub.
Q. Do I have to pay a fee to take the class?
A. North Fulton Hospital charges a $30.00 fee.
Q. How do I register for the waterbirth class?
A. We can provide you with an informative flyer which includes dates, times and contact information to call and register. You can also click here to learn more.
Home Birth
Q. Does Nile accept home birth patients?
A. We are not a provider for home birth. However, if you make the decision to have a home birth and you wish to continue your medical care with us in the event of pregnancy complications, we will continue to provide care.
Natural Birth
Q. Does Nile promote natural birth?
A. All of our providers promote, protect and support natural births. We provide our patients with the necessary tools as they labor and give birth.
Q. What are the benefits of natural birth?
A. There are several benefits to having an unmedicated birth. Some include:
- Medication intervention can at times lead to a slower delivery.
- Epidurals may increase usage of medical intervention.
- Lower risk for cesarean birth.
Q. What factors may prevent me from having a VBAC?
A. You are not eligible for a VBAC of you have had more than 2 previous cesarean section, breech presentation, placenta previa, or a classical incision (vertical, up and down) on the uterus. Otherwise, you will have an appointment with one of our doctors to discussed VBAC eligibility and safety.
Antepartum
Q. Are childbirth classes offered at Nile?
A. Yes. We offer monthly classes to all of our patients at no cost. The classes cover basic information for pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding. For more intensive education we do recommend addition classes/education.
Q. Are postpartum classes offered at Nile?
A. We briefly cover the postpartum period in our classes.
Delivery Day
Q. Will I receive continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery?
A. The midwives at Nile strive to provide as much hands-on care as we are able. We are limited by the number of women in labor and their individual needs. For this reason, we do encourage hiring a doula for one on one support during the labor process.
Q. What is the induction policy?
A. We do not routinely induce labor. We will allow labor to occur naturally at up to 42 weeks of pregnancy. It is necessary to induce labor in the event of certain medical conditions. We follow the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guideline for inductions.
Q. Which labor aids can I bring to the hospital?
A. We encourage you to bring as manys aids as needed. Essential oils and massage oils are acceptable. If you wish to have perineal massage, we routinely use KY jelly, but you may bring any vegetable based oil you would like to have used. Diffusers are safe. Bring your music/movie devices. Battery operated candles are okay. You may not use candles with a flame or incense. Crockpots with a liner are great for warm compresses. Snacks for both mom and dad. If you have your own TENS unit, you may use it. Please BRING YOUR OWN BIRTH/EXERCISE ball. The hospital will not provide one.
Q. Do you share call with another practice?
A. We do share call with the doctors and midwives of Providence Women’s Health Care. The doctors share call at both WellStar North Fulton and Emory Johns Creek Hospital. The midwives share call only at WellStar North Fulton. The midwives offer a Talk and Tour every other month at WellStar North Fulton so that Nile patients may meet the midwives from Providence Women’s Health Care.
Q. Can I choose a provider to assist with my delivery?
A. The midwives and doctors rotate on a regular basis. Midwives are on-call for 24 hour shifts. The provider on-call will be the one to care for you during her shift. In the case of an induction of labor, it may be possible to choose the provider. Please discuss this at your routine OB appointment for more information.
Q. Are circumcisions performed in the office or hospital?
A. One of our doctors will perform your son’s circumcision before discharge from the hospital. Our doctors do not perform circumcision in the office. If it is not done in the hospital, you will need to follow-up with a pediatric urologist.
Office Visits – Pregnancy
Q. How often will I be seen for regular appointments during my pregnancy?
A. We routine see patient every 3-4 weeks until the beginning of the third trimester. We will see you every 2 weeks beginning at week 28-30. We will see you every week until birth beginning at 35-37 weeks gestation.
Q. When will have have to have blood testing?
A. We will draw your initial pregnancy labs at 10-12 weeks gestation.
- Pregnancy labs include: Blood Type and RH, antibody screen, Rubella titer (German Measles), complete blood count, urine culture, STD testing (gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, HIV, and RPR), and genetic carrier screens (at minimum: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, & Spinal Muscular Atrophy).
- We will test you for diabetes at 24-28 weeks gestation
- You will have a complete blood count, 1 hour glucose tolerance test, and an antibody screen if your blood type is negative.
- We will test you for GBS, HIV, and CBC at 35-37 weeks gestation.
- Additional labs may be discussed and ordered based on your individual history and needs.
Q. How often will I be seen if I am high risk?
A. How often you will be seen will be up to the discretion of our doctors.
Q. What genetic testing do you offer?
A. We offer genetic screening tests in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.
In the first trimester, we offer the NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing). This blood test determines if your baby is at risk for Trisomy 13, 18, and 21 (Down’s Syndrome). This test can be completed at anytime during your pregnancy after 10 weeks gestation. It is most commonly done in the first trimester. With this genetic screening test, you can also determine the sex of your baby with 99% accuracy.
We also offer a genetic screening test for over 20 autosomal recessive genes. In the case of autosomal recessive disorders, both parents must carry the gene. If you test positive for any of the disorders, we will also offer testing for the child’s father. This expanded test includes carrier screening for Cystic Fibrosis, SMA & Sickle cell disease.
In the second trimester, we offer AFP (alpha feta protein) testing. This is a blood test performed between 15-20 weeks gestation. It determines the risk of your baby having an open neural tube defect such as spina bifida.
Q. How long will my appointments last?
A. When you come for your first visit of your pregnancy, you will be scheduled for a 30 min time slot. You are strongly encouraged to arrive 20-30 minutes early for this visit.
For routine follow-up pregnancy visits, you will be scheduled for a 15 minute time slot.
For ultrasound visits, you will be scheduled for a 15-30 time slot depending on the type of ultrasound you are having performed.
Operational
Q. How do I receive my lab results?
A. Lab results are received via the patient portal. When we send your lab results, you will see a notification in the “My Messages” tab of your patient portal. Once you click on this tab, it will open up your inbox and you will find a message from your provider with an attached copy of your lab results.
Most standard lab results which are processed via an outside laboratory (Pathgroup) will usually return in 3-5 business days.
Genetic lab results processed via an outside laboratory (NxGen) will usually return in 12-15 business days.
If you have not set up your patient portal, please speak with a Front Desk Representative or Medical Assistant who may assist you with this issue.
Should you have any further questions regarding features in your patient portal, please access the help icon in the upper right hand corner of your portal screen. This icon will also light up with a star whenever updates are made to the portal.
Q. How do I sign up for the patient portal?
A. You will receive an email where you will click on the link and follow the instructions. This email link expires in 24 hours. Please make sure you complete registration within that time.
Q. Do you offer same day appointments?
A. Same day appointments may be offered if the provider has availability on the schedule.
Q. Will I receive an arrival time reminder?
A. 1-2 days prior to the appointment you will receive an automated appointment reminder.
