Alternative Birthing Center (ABC)

A Home Like Setting

Women & Infants' Alternative Birthing Center offers an option for women having a low-risk pregnancy who want to give birth with minimal intervention in a cozy home-like setting.

The Alternative Birthing Center is located next to Women & Infants’ Labor/Delivery/Recovery Unit, allowing for a quick and seamless transfer to that unit should the need arise. The Alternative Birthing Center features a comfortable bedroom with lots of space to move around, a private bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, and all the needed amenities to help you stay relaxed and comfortable during labor, birth, and recovery. It also has a small private waiting area where your family can stay during your labor and birth. You are welcome to include a doula, children, and others in your birth experience.

Contact Information:

Alternative Birthing Center

(401) 274-1122, extension 41831

Choosing the Alternative Birthing Center:

We encourage you to have a conversation with your midwife or obstetrician if you are interested in having your baby in the Alternative Birthing Center. Your OB care provider will determine if the ABC is a good option for you.

When you choose to deliver in the Alternative Birthing Center, you have two options after the birth:

Option 1

You may stay in the Alternative Birthing Center for 4 hours after the birth of your baby and then go to a standard postpartum room for the typical one or two day stay.

Option 2

Or you may choose to go home directly 6 to 12 hours after the birth of your baby, once you have gotten approval from both your midwife and pediatrician.

ABC Discharge Information

Discharge Options

After you deliver, you have two options for discharge.

You may deliver in the ABC and then be transferred to a standard postpartum room for recovery for either one or two nights (typical).
You may be discharged directly from the ABC. The ABC early discharge occurs no sooner than six hours after birth and may extend up to 12 to 18 hours depending on the time of birth.
- If you deliver during the day, you will stay in the ABC for six hours or until the pediatrician comes in to discharge the baby.
- If you deliver in the evening, you will stay in the ABC until the pediatrician comes in the morning to discharge the baby.

Does anyone need to approve my early discharge?

If you would like to be discharged directly from the ABC, you will need approval from both your pediatrician and your midwife.

Will my pediatrician see my baby before I go home?

Most pediatricians who agree to an early discharge will see the baby anytime during the day. Some pediatricians will only do an early discharge if it coincides with their daily morning rounds. If your pediatrician does not have privileges at Women & Infants, a staff pediatrician will perform the discharge physical.

When will a circumcision be done?

If you choose to have your baby circumcised it will be performed by the obstetricians affiliated with your midwife. They are usually done the day after your birth and after your pediatrician has physically evaluated your baby. However, with an early discharge directly from the ABC, there may not be time to arrange for and perform the circumcision during your brief postpartum stay in the ABC. If that is the case, you can arrange through your midwife's office to have your son circumcised within the next ten days. This would require that you return to the hospital with your baby and plan to stay for two to three hours.

What tests will be done on my baby before we are discharged?

A Newborn Hearing Screening will be performed on your baby. If a hearing assessment is not available while you are in the hospital, you may return for the hearing assessment at a later date as an outpatient.

A Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening is a painless test (also known as "pulse ox") to measure your baby's oxygen level to screen for critical congenital heart disease.

Will I get any additional help once I go home?

Upon discharge, you will be given instructions by your providers and your nurse. You will be sent home with a reminder card explaining when to call your midwife when to call the pediatrician and reminders of what you will need to do (i.e., counting wet diapers, taking your baby’s temperature twice daily to be reported to the nurse at your home visit, etc.).

Most pediatricians will want to see your baby in their office within 1-2 days after discharge.

The ABC nurse will call you the following day after you go home to check in on you. At this time, she will also set up a time for a home visit on the second day.

What can I expect at the home visit?

A nurse will come to your house to check on you:

Check your vital signs.
Evaluation of perineum/fundus/lochia.
Evaluation of breasts and breastfeeding/latch.
Evaluation of nutrition for mom and baby – how you doing with your eating, urinating, bowel movements.
Evaluation of self- care, safety, educational needs/medications.

She will also check on your baby:

Check your baby’s vital signs and weight.
Do a PKU heel stick on your baby.
Do a bilirubin heel stick on your baby, if indicated.

What if I change my mind?

That’s okay. Opting for an ABC early discharge allows you the flexibility to leave directly from the ABC or, if circumstances arise, to decide to stay the standard amount of time.

For more information

If you have further questions, please call (401) 274-1122, ext. 41831, leave a message and we will return your call. Our Warm Line is also available at 1-800-711-7011. This popular service, staffed by professional nurses/Lactation Consultants, offers helpful information regarding your new baby, breastfeeding, and postpartum issues. The Warm Line is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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