Exploring Birthing Options at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital

Birthing a baby is one of life’s biggest moments.  Every pregnancy, labor and birth experience is different, which is why Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Providence Holy Family Hospital offer a variety of options to help families create a birth experience that matches their preferences. 

Whether you are hoping for a low intervention birth, working with a midwife, planning to include a doula in your support team, or simply exploring your options, Providence is committed to providing personalized, family centered care every step of the way. 

TeamBirth: A Voice in Your Care 

At Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital, we use TeamBirth.  This method encourages patients to be active participants in decision making when it comes to their care and their baby’s care.  

Whether a family hopes for an unmedicated birth, plans to use pain management, or requires additional medical support during labor, caregivers work closely with patients to explain options and respect their choices whenever it is safe to do so. 

The goal is simple: support patients' birth preferences while providing safe, high-quality care for both parent and baby. 

Support for Low Intervention Births 

Many people are surprised to learn they can pursue a low intervention birth in a hospital setting. 

At Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital, every labor and delivery room is equipped with tools and resources that support movement, comfort and choice during labor, including: 

• Labor tubs
• Wireless fetal monitoring
• Birthing balls and peanut balls
• Birthing bars and stools
• Nitrous oxide for pain relief
• Aromatherapy and calming lighting options
• Comfort tools that help patients stay active during labor 

These options allow patients to move freely, try different labor positions, and use comfort measures while still having access to advanced medical care, if needed. 

Understanding Midwives and Doulas 

Certified nurse midwives are licensed medical providers who offer prenatal care, labor and birth support, postpartum care and gynecologic services. Midwives attend more than 20% of births at Sacred Heart Medical Center. They work closely with physicians and specialists to ensure patients receive the care they need throughout pregnancy and birth. 

Quilted Health is a midwife group with delivery privileges at Sacred Heart Medical Center.  

Midwives currently do not deliver babies at Holy Family Hospital.  However, many still provide prenatal care.  

Doulas serve a different role. They are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and educational support before, during and after childbirth. While doulas are not medical providers, many families find their continuous support helpful during labor and delivery. 

Midwives and doulas are considered part of the care team in labor and delivery and postpartum units. They do not count as visitors.  

All Births Are Welcome Here 

Every birth journey is different. Some births are highly medical. Others involve fewer interventions. Many fall somewhere in between. 

No matter what a birth experience looks like, Providence is committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that supports the health and well-being of both parent and baby.