The Community Birth and Family Center is Being Remodeled!
The Community Birth and Family Center in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle is currently undergoing a major renovation. The new birth center will be an integrated facility with 3 birth suites, classes, lactation consultation clinic, and retail. We expect that CBFC will be closed for at least a year. During the remodel, we will continue to attend births in our clients' homes and at:
Seattle Natural Family Medicine is a naturopathic family practice which offers comprehensive maternity care throughout the childbearing year. Dr. Tracy McDaniel is a naturopathic physician and licensed midwife, who attends births at home and in free standing birth centers. A free standing birth center is one that is not affiliated with a hospital.
Midwifery Care
Training in both naturopathic medicine and midwifery enable Dr. McDaniel to follow women through an essentially normal childbearing cycle. Naturopathic therapeutics will be used to address health concerns which may arise during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period. When complications of pregnancy or birth occur, appropriate maternity specialists will be consulted and referrals arranged as necessary.
Your naturopathic midwife carries the equipment, medications, and necessary supplies to support a normal childbirth in a home or birth center setting. There are, however, certain specialized services and equipment which are not available outside of the hospital. For example, we do not carry equipment to intubate a baby or adult, perform vacuum extraction, forceps or surgical delivery, nor do we administer blood. Epidurals and narcotic pain medications are not available at home or in the birth center. Hydrotherapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupressure and massage are examples of naturopathic midwifery “interventions” available at home.
Naturopathic midwives acknowledge your fundamental right to choose how to birth your baby. It is our philosophy that the best outcomes for mothers and babies are achieved when preparation for birth is regarded as a mutual responsibility of both the client(s) and her naturopathic midwife. We will work with you to help you make decisions regarding your care. Routine maternity screening tests, procedures and treatments will be explained during office visits. You are encouraged to ask questions and to ask for additional written materials or resources when you want more information regarding any topic relating to your maternity care.
INITIAL VISIT: Your initial visit is a consultation session which will include a discussion of the following topics: • Your reasons for choosing home or free standing birth center birth with naturopath/midwifery care • The midwifery model of care • How labor and birth in a hospital differs from home or birth center • Risks of childbirth to the mother and infant and the management of complications in a home or birth center setting • Arrangements for medical consultation and referral • Ample opportunity is provided for prospective clients to ask questions
CONTENT OF CARE: Prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care include: • History, physical, dietary assessment and standard labs are collected and sent for processing, certain lab tests are done on site • Prenatal checkups at the clinic: approximately monthly until 28 weeks, twice monthly until 36 weeks, and weekly until your baby is born • One postpartum visit at home within 72 hours of the birth • Postpartum visits for mother in the office at approximately 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6-8 weeks • Postpartum monitoring and care for your baby in the immediate postpartum period • Ongoing pediatric care is available at OSWA • Use of lending library throughout your care • 24 hour contact with a Naturopath/Midwife by means of pager throughout your care • An integrated naturopathic approach to prenatal and postpartum care
SCREENING: In the screening and treatment of clients, your naturopathic midwife will rely on your medical history, review of medical records, labs and physical exam. Therefore it is vital that the information you provide be complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Complications may arise during prenatal or intrapartum care which your naturopath/midwife diagnoses as a high risk. In this care she will recommend birth in a hospital. You are always encouraged to ask questions and your doctor will gladly explain the reasoning behind any medical decision.
BACK UP COVERAGE: Until September 2008, Dr. Molly Gray is providing back up coverage for the midwifery practice and will attend births when Dr. Tracy is not available. However, situations may arise which prevent this. In the unlikely event that neither Dr. Tracy or Dr. Molly is able to be present at your labor, another licensed midwife will attend your birth.
CONSULTATION AND REFERRAL FOR OBSTETRIC SPECIALTY CARE: Dr. McDaniel consults with several area medical centers, obstetricians and pediatricians. If significant deviations from normal develop at any time during labor and delivery, a specialist will be consulted. During the prenatal and postpartum period, consultation or referral will be recommended when the condition is outside of Dr. McDaniel's scope of practice and knowledge as a naturopathic doctor and midwife.
WHAT IF YOU NEED TO GO TO A HOSPITAL?: If, during labor, a situation arrises which necessitates a transfer of your care to a hospital, your naturopath/midwife will accompany you. She will help to establish care with a certified nurse midwife or obstetrician and to continue to support you in person or by phone through the rest of your labor.
STUDENT MIDWIVES: Dr. Tracy is usually assisted in the office and at births by student midwives. Student midwives are in attendance for the added safety of both mother and baby and to further the students’ training. You will meet the student(s) prior to your birth whenever possible and we will make every attempt to honor your wishes regarding choice of birth assistants. We are very supportive and respectful of the intimacy of birth and are committed to training students with the same philosophy.