Our Services at Panhandle Birth Center
Panhandle Birth Center offers non-invasive prenatal screening, lab work and ultrasounds and complete prenatal care. But above all else we support and respect your autonomy!
We start by setting an appointment for a free consultation. We have these consultations at either your home or our office, where we can relax and talk. During this consultation, we will address your questions and concerns as well as address any specific birthing or care needs you may have.
We can provide:
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Prenatal Care
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Postpartum & Newborn Care
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Lab Work
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Doula Services
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IUD Removal
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Well-Woman Care
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STD Screening
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Placenta Encapsulation
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Childbirth Education
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Breastfeeding Support
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Natural Family Planning
We also offer Sneak Peek Early Gender DNA testing at Panhandle Birth Services. Discover your baby's gender as early as 8 weeks with 99.1% accuracy. The tests are quick, easy and results come straight to you in just a few days.
Click here to learn more!
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The International Cesarean Awareness Network, or ICAN, is a great resource for women who are considering a vaginal birth after a C-section. We can assist you with your vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC).
Click here to learn more about a vaginal birth after a caesarean section and get information and support from others.
First Trimester
Prenatal Screening Tests
These tests can identify whether your baby is likely to have certain birth defects, many of which are genetic disorders. They typically include blood tests, a specific type of ultrasound, and prenatal cell-free DNA screening.
Antenatal Testing/Coombs test
These procedures are performed during pregnancy to detect health problems in you or your growing baby. They help establish characteristics such as fetal age, sex, or weight. For you, they provide an early detection of potential issues and a good baseline should problems arise later in your pregnancy.
Initial Blood Work (Prenatal Panel)
This includes determining your blood type and Rh factor, blood count, and immune system status. We also screen for several infections, including syphilis,
hepititis B, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, rubella immunity, anemia, and bacteria in the urine.
Second Trimester
Level 2 Ultrasound (Anatomy Scan)
A comprehensive and detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy and development, this diagnostic ultrasound is more in-depth than the first-trimester ultrasound. It is typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation.
RH Antibody Screen
This test checks your immune system to determine if your red blood cells are different from your baby's, which could cause complications. The most common issue is related to the Rh factor, the + or - part of your blood type. We ensure this isn’t a problem.
Gestational Diabetes Screen
This test checks your blood sugar levels. If you're at average risk for gestational diabetes, you'll likely be screened between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you're at high risk, due to factors like family history or obesity, we may recommend testing earlier in the pregnancy.
Third Trimester
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screen
This test checks for the presence of group B streptococcus (GBS) in the vagina and rectum to assess the risk of passing the bacteria to the newborn during labor and delivery, which can cause a serious infection called early-onset GBS.
Rh Antibody Check
If you are Rh-negative, your antibodies will be checked to aide in recognizing and preventing complications.
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Test
A second hemoglobin and hematocrit test may be performed to check for anemia.
Labor and Birth
We will have a general idea of when to expect your baby. When labor begins or if your water breaks, please call Panhandle Birth Services to let us know.
During labor, you are free to move, eat, and drink, and we encourage you to do so.
During active labor, we will monitor your baby's heart tones to ensure they are handling labor well. We also listen during the pushing stage. You are encouraged to push in whatever position is most comfortable for you and your baby. We attentively monitor both mom and baby, making recommendations to ensure a smooth birth. After birth, the umbilical cord is rarely cut until the placenta is delivered, ensuring your baby receives their full blood supply.
Many women choose water births, as water can help soften tissues and reduce the likelihood of tearing. Learn more about the pros and cons of water birth and the research behind it here.
We provide a Passage Pool, included in your birth kit, brand new and in the box. There is no liner to purchase, and this pool is yours to keep.
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At Panhandle Birth Center, we deliver your birth, your way.
After the birth, we take vital signs for both the newborn and the mother, consistently assessing and charting their conditions for the first three hours. During this time, we ensure both mom and baby are comfortable and have time to bond. Once charting is complete and both are stable, we provide detailed postpartum care instructions and leave the birth area clean.
To ensure you feel completely confident in our postpartum care, we offer 24/7 phone support via call or text.
Following the birth, we schedule follow-up visits at 36 hours, 5 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. These visits include newborn screenings and assessments for critical congenital heart defects. Birth certificates are certified within 5 days of your baby's birth and can be picked up at your local vital statistics office after registration with the state.
"A midwife's hands can bring comfort and strength to a laboring woman, guiding her through the waves of pain."
The Midwife, by Jolina Petersheim