FAQs

This is probably the most common question asked when someone is considering a birth center or home birth. Research performed over the last 35 years has provided overwhelming statistics that there is a lower rate of surgical intervention, fewer complications for mother and baby, lower birth injuries, and lower death rates.

When you choose a birth center or home birth you are choosing to have a woman-centered birth experience. This means that the mother and father work together to create the safest and happiest experience for them and their baby. Mom gets to choose who will attend the birth in the setting of a quiet and peaceful environment. Birthing this way is a popular choice and has been on the rise over the past few years, due to many benefits, including safety.

Fact sheet on safety of home births and birth center births.

You do not need to see an OB while you are pregnant and seeing one of the midwives from the Katy Birth Center. However, there may be situations where your midwife recommends a visit to the obstetrician. Midwifery is a collaborative practice that involves: midwives, nurses, obstetricians, pediatricians, and other specialists as needed.

Midwifery is different from obstetrics. Midwifery care is provided by professionally trained midwives who practice a wellness and holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and women’s health. Midwifery care focuses on the promotion of health and the enablement of individual empowerment.

During labor, if any complications arise, we will transport the mother to the nearest hospital. Prior to arrival the midwife will speak to the hospital staff about what is happening and will stay with you until your baby is delivered. This situation does not happen often, but your midwife is fully equipped to assess any adverse situations, and will consult the specialist/physician and transport to the hospital if the need arises.

Many women are concerned about the pain of childbirth and if they can handle the rigor of a natual birth? We are often asked how we can help them cope with the pain of labor during the natural birth process. The prospective mothers will learn through birth classes and education on how to relax and understand each phase of labor. Your birth team will be able to use proven methods to help women cope with pain. Our birth pools promote relaxation which reduces pain. 100% of the women have a peaceful birth place and are encouraged to move around while eating and drinking. In addition we have medication for rest and nausea. Electrical stim for back labor, and nitrous gas for relaxation and pain management if needed.

Familiar surroundings help the mother feel comfortable and safe during labor and birth, minimizing stress and fear.

• The mother determines the birth atmosphere.
• You don’t have to deliver in a bed
• No belts or monitors
• You can choose to be in the water
• You can choose any position or location for delivery
• Birth attendants are considered invited guests.
• No encounters with strangers or unfamiliar places.
• Less chance of illness due to exposure to hospital-borne infection.
• No awkward moves from room to room.
• Few or no routine interventions.
• No separations from the people and setting that empowers her.
• No arbitrary separations of mother and baby.

Katy Birth Center is licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and is under constant supervision of the DSHS. KBC has to follow DSHS code of Health and Safety and birthing center rules as stipulated by the state. KBC is regularly audited by the DSHS and any out of normal situations have to be reported and evaluated by the state. If any adverse situation appears, a corrective action has to be put in place or KBC could lose its license to operate. The license has to be renewed every two years, and will only be renewed if the birth center is in good standing with DSHS.

At KBC we are striving to keep the birth Center free from Covid 19.

We are taking best practice steps culled from our county, state and national organizations as well as professional organizations like the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

At this time, in the event of a transfer of care in labor to a hospital, only your partner is allowed to be with you at the hospitals. The midwife cannot accompany you there, which is not our normal practice. We look forward to the day we can be with you in case of any transfers.

A few examples of these steps are:

• At this time We ARE still limiting the number of clients and prospective clients into the building for group sessions to allow for social distancing.
• The staff is no longer required to wear masks, unless it is preferred by the client. We ARE sanitizing all surfaces and practicing good hand washing.

For appointments (not including birth)

• Clients are no longer required to wait in their cars. They ARE allowed to wait in the waiting room as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.
• Clients are no longer required to wear masks. We leave it up to the Client and their personal preference.
• Clients are no longer quickly whisked back to the prenatal rooms. They ARE allowed to wait in the waiting room as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.

During births:

• We encourage only partners and one other support person to be present at births.
• We do not encourage to have others wait in the waiting room at this time.
• Finally, we encourage a healthy lifestyle with quality supplements and prayer for the health and wellness of ourselves and our clients.

At Katy Birth Center we provide safe, individualized, comprehensive care where you and your baby receive a more personalized approach to your care during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.

For clients with insurance we have a specialist that is happy to help you determine your maternity benefits, including your deductible and approximate percentages that may be covered. Insurance companies typically pay about $1500 more for using our licensed birth center than for a home birth.

However, it is difficult to give an exact cost comparison given that every insurance policy has different levels of coverage, deductibles and co-pays.

If you have no insurance, a high deductible or no out of network benefits we offer a large discount if you choose an early pay option by the 34th week of your pregnancy. You can still use your insurance and our in-house biller will be happy to assist you with the coding and billing information you will need to submit via self filing with your insurance company. But, by taking advantage of the early cash discount, the price is $6000 which is $1000 off our regular insurance price.

Finally, you may not be aware that birth center fees are typically at least 50% less for a normal vaginal delivery than hospital based care.

Cost of care can be:

• OB physician $3-8K
• Hospital (Vaginal Birth $3-12K for mom, $2-5K for the newborn care, C/Section $15-20k additional cost)
• Pathologist (for reading your labs)
• Anesthesiologist (epidural $3K, etc.)
• Imaging Services (ultrasounds, x-rays, etc)
• Laboratory Tests
• Pediatrician Care

Typically cost can range anywhere from $8,000 on the low end for a natural birth of up to $40,000 in total for a hospital birth, depending on the situation.

Cost of care at Katy Birth Center:

At Katy Birth Center we offer different packages to meet all needs. Generally, a home or birth center birth will run $6-7K, and a fully detailed cost estimate is available upon request. We offer $1000 early cash discount off our $7000 price if paid in full by 34 weeks gestation.

Our Maternity Care Package includes:

• Prenatal Care
• Routine labs
• Labor / Birth
• Postpartum Care
• Assistant (at delivery)
• Initial Newborn Care
• Newborn Exam
• Breastfeeding counseling/assistance
• Facility Pool (or loaner pool if home) & most supplies

Additional services not included in the Katy Birth Center Maternity Care Packages are as follows:

• Non Routine Laboratory tests *
• Imaging Studies (including ultrasounds)
• Acupuncture treatment
• Chiropractic Care
• Childbirth education
• Office Visits to address non-routine problems
• Medical care needed and provided by a physician
• Specialist or hospital care
• Newborn screens, tests, and medications
• Rhogam Shots
• Labor & Delivery therapies or medications
• For the insurance package Lab tests will be billed to your insurance company

* We will review all laboratory tests needed and charges before they are done. A list of laboratory charges are available upon request

We’ve a number of options to make it as convenient for you as possible:

1. Credit/debit/HSA card: you can call, come in, or you can pay here.
2. Cash or check payable to Katy Birth Center.
3. Automated monthly payments via your credit/debit card authorization.
4. Zelle us at katybirthcenter@gmail.com.
5. Pay online by clicking https://www.katybirthcenter.com/make-payment/.
6. PayPal us at PayPal.me/KatyBirthCenter (CHOOSE Trusted or Friends & Family; Do NOT Choose Purchase Protection or Goods & Services)