Birth centers provide enhanced postpartum care and keep families safe during the postpartum period.

More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, according to the CDC, and the majority of maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period. Typical postpartum care in the US consists of one in hospital postpartum visit at six weeks. Birthing people, infants and families need more.

Birth center care offers enhanced individualized postpartum care beyond a single visit. Key features include: dyad integrated care (care for birthing person and newborn) through at least 3-7 days,  one or more home visits (the first typically within 48 hours after birth), 1-2 birth center visits within the first six weeks postpartum, mental health and lactation screenings, assessments, specialty care coordination as needed, family planning and ongoing primary and interconception care.