It’s only natural that independent birth center construction projects arepopping up all over the Los Angeles areas. With flexible birthing options, luxurious accommodations, and updated obstetrics technology, more healthcare providers are competing for patient loyalty at its earliest stage- childbirth. Birth centers are gaining popularity as an alternative approach to conventional hospital labor and delivery rooms. Here, expectant mothers can opt for water births or “Biodynamic” childbirths. Trained doulas or midwives are on hand to assist in these accredited, licensed health facilities. In emergencies, IVs, oxygen, medication, and infant resuscitation equipment are available. Healthcare administrators can benefit by constructing new medical buildings or renovating old ones. Some things to consider: proximity to hospitals, in case of emergency C-section; generous square footage; hospital design that incorporates the latest trends in LDR rooms, including birthing tubs, dual-purpose furniture and extended family care.

Birth Center Construction Tips

By providing prenatal and postnatal care, healthcare administrators have a direct link to their most attractive prospect- the mothers who decide what kind of medical care their children will receive. This is a prime opportunity to develop a lasting relationship with local patients and medical facilities, as more people are choosing to visit ambulatory surgery centers (ASC’s) and other outpatient services over crowded hospital rooms.

Designing your birth center

Mothers who choose birth centers want to experience natural childbirth with as little intervention as required. Many have money to spend on spa-like perks, although insurance options are offered. When planning out the layout and design for a maternity center, consider details such as usable space, color themes, updated technology, and safety measures.

Birthing tubs

Hydrotherapy is becoming the standard choice for mothers who elect to give birth naturally in a non-hospital environment. At the Community Birth Center in Los Angeles, moms can choose between two luxurious birthing suites: the Althea Hall-Beharry room, a 600-square-foot accommodation with shower birthing and private lounge, or the Jake Sifford suite, which also features a birthing tub room. Don’t have enough space for a Jacuzzi? As an alternative, you can install a walk-in rain shower or soaking tub.

Pain relief

Birthing centers don’t provide epidurals- for that, your patient would need to transfer to a nearby hospital. Instead, health facilities offer laughing gas as a safer pain management alternative. When designing a patient labor and delivery room, consider installing headwalls that can house nitrous oxide tanks conveniently and discreetly.

Usable space

Medical facility designers know the value of furnishing a patient room with modules that utilize space efficiently. Think like a sailor, and maximize on every nook and cranny. Install grab bars for support in all patient areas. Small corners can serve as decentralized nurse stations. Sliding shower doors take up less space than swinging doors, and are safer. If your facility offers C-sections, then design the layout so that surgery rooms are adjacent to labor and delivery rooms, as well as infant resuscitation rooms. This will improve work flow, in addition to maximizing on square footage.

Visual appeal

Your LDR should look like a bedroom, but function as a full-service maternity unit. Medical supplies should be stored discreetly until the moment of delivery arrives. Consider purchasing dual-purpose furniture that looks like something you would see in a residential area. Wooden wardrobes can hide baby gear, equipment, and hospital linens. Give your patients something nice to look at while focusing on labor pains, such as a painting in calming hues or an indoor water fountain. It may not be a home birth, but your patients will feel more at ease in a less clinical surrounding.

Focus on family

The days of the dad waiting anxiously in the visiting room are over. Many birthing centers offer sleep-away couches, televisions, phone charging stations, private discussion rooms, and accommodations for family members in neonatal intensive care units (NICU’s). Are you ready to start your birth center construction? Speak to our medial construction experts, and we’ll help you plan a renovation or new construction in as little time as possible, for the best price.   Sources: Little Things: Designing For Labor, Delivery, And Beyond Birth centers: Alternatives to hospitals Image: Creative commons license, Christa Parisi, flickr