FAQ
Our beautifully appointed birth center is now available to lease for your birth! We like to think of it like a vacation rental home but designed just for birth. Our goal is to make sure all the details are taken care of so you can focus on bringing your little one earthside. You've taken the perfect classes, prioritized nutrition, and found an amazing birth team. When it comes to preparing the ideal birth nest, let us take care of the details!
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Space is Limited. Reserve your suite today!
Q&A
​I had a baby here before and I want to do it again. What do I do now?
You can have your next (and hopefully next and next) baby with The Birth Centre of Charlottesville, with the same midwife and fee structure as before! Give our owner/operator, Janna a call and she'll schedule you for a first appointment! 434-471-0419
How Do I Reserve a Suite
To reserve a suite, you may contact The Birth Centre of Charlottesville or a midwife who is a member of our collective. In order to prevent scheduling conflicts, we accept a limited number of reservations per calendar month. We recommend making your reservations earlier in your pregnancy to assure that there is space available. We ask for a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your reservation.
How much does it cost?
Our full facility fee is $3000. Many of the midwives who are members of our collective offer a discount of up to 50% off making your out-of-pocket cost $1500. Please ask your midwife if she offers a discounted rate.
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There is a required non-refundable $500 deposit to secure the reservation and your full fee is due by your 35th week of pregnancy. A full refund minus your deposit will be given should you change birth locations prior to 35 weeks. See our contract for our refund schedule after 35 weeks. Refunds are not given after you have checked in for any reason including false labor events and transfer to the hospital. Your reservation time-frame will start at 37 weeks +0 days and will end at 42 weeks + 1 day unless your midwife requests an extension.
What's the payment schedule?
Can you bill my health insurance?
At this time, we are unable to bill standard health insurance plans. If your midwife has an insurance biller, the biller may be able to help you obtain some reimbursement. We can accept HSA payments. We do accept some faith-based healthshare plans and are able to bill most directly without requiring a deposit or prepayment.
What Payment Methods Do you accept?
Payment is easy! We accept PayPal (fees apply), Venmo, CashApp, credit card (a 3% interest fee will apply), HSA (a 3% interest charge applies for card payments), check or cash. Follow the link at the bottom of our home page to make an online payment.
What Requirements Are There?
In addition to the financial requirements being met, we ask that you sign an informed choice agreement, a rental agreement and have a Virginia Licensed Midwife (CPM or CNM) who is a member of our collective attend you during your stay. For everyone's safety and comfort, clients must be accompanied by their provider at all times while on the premises.
When Can I Check In?
We leave this answer up to your provider as circumstances may vary. Most families check in once labor is active but some need an earlier check in due to special circumstances such as distance to the center or medical need for an induction. Talk with your birth team to decide when is right for you!
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How Long Can I stay?
We know many families are eager to settle into their own bed after birth while others appreciate a little extra time to rest before transitioning to home. We typically plan for a 4-6 hour stay after birth to allow time for rest, bonding, nursing and postpartum assessments.
Your midwife will work with you to determine the best time for you to head home based on how you and your baby are doing. Our goal is for you to leave feeling confident, comfortable and well cared for!
Who Am I Allowed To Bring?
While your birth team is a must, you're welcome to invite whomever you wish to support you during your birth! Guests may gather with you in the birthing suite or use our kitchen, public restrooms, and waiting room areas. Our waiting room seats up to five people comfortably so we encourage keeping group sizes in mind.
While our space is designed for your birth experience, we are unable to offer overnight sleeping accommodations (beds/bedding) for guests. We recommend finding a nearby rental or hotel for guests who would like a comfortable place to sleep overnight.
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What's Included in My Booking?
Did you ever show up to your vacation rental home to find it stripped of even the most basic necessities? Not here! Our goal is to surround you in the creature comforts and tools you need to allow you to focus on your birth without having to prepare your birthing space too. From luxurious bath robes, soft sheets and fluffy towels to birthing balls, labor slings, support ladders and essential oil diffusers, we've thoughtfully prepared beautiful birthing suites full of the comforts you'll need. Find out more on our Birthing Suites page here or by clicking the Birthing Suites link in dropdown menu above.
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What Should I Bring?
You'll want to bring items similar to those you would take if you were having a hospital birth with a few personal touches to make your experience your own. We've taken care of many of the comforts so you can focus on welcoming your baby!
We recommend bringing:
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Toiletries and personal care items
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Comfortable clothing for labor and recovery
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A loose-fitting change of clothes for wearing home
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Warm clothes and diapers for baby
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A properly installed car seat
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Your insurance card and photo ID
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A credit or debit card
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Any personal medications or herbs you wish to have available during your birth
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Essential oils - we provide the diffusers!
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Food for labor, snacks and drinks (we provide water, tea and coffee)
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Your phone and phone chargers
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After birth essentials like pads, mesh underwear or depends
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Smaller comfort measures such as hot socks or a heating pad, your favorite essential oils, music play list (we provide Bluetooth speakers), lip balm, tens unit, labor combs, hair ties or a headband, massage oil or lotion.
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Any special items that help you feel relaxed and supported
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A birth supply kit may be needed- ​While some midwives supply birth essentials like gloves, gauze, a bulb syringe, disposable under pads, etc.; some request that their clients order a kit from a birthing supply company. Each kit is highly personalized to contain the items that midwife feels is essential to her work. Please ask your midwife if she requires you to order a kit for your birth or if she supplies such provisions for your birth herself. ​​​​​​​​​​​​
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What if two families are in labor at the same time?
With sound proofing in the walls between birth suites and ample space, our facility was designed for up to three laboring families at the same time, however, our goal is to schedule our reservations in a way that avoids more than two families laboring at once. Our labor suites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; however, we will make every effort to accommodate your preferred suite whenever possible. Often a room becomes available if your length of labor allows. If no labor space becomes available, we will seek an acceptable replacement and if we cannot find one, you will receive a full refund.
What if something unexpected makes the center unavailable?
For 15 years, our facility has remained open 24/7- rain or shine. While unexpected circumstances can happen, we hope this is unlikely. In the event of such an instance, we will attempt to obtain use of another facility at no additional cost to you, however, if we are unable to do so, we will issue a full refund.
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