MU Health Care’s low-intervention birth program allows you to have a natural childbirth in a homelike setting, with pain relief and specialty care readily available if needed.
Mid-Missouri’s Only Hospital for Low-Intervention Births
We offer the region’s only in-hospital low-intervention birth program — designed for women with low-risk pregnancies who want fewer medical interventions during labor and delivery. The program supports unmedicated birth while still giving you
Warmly welcomes the user and introduces the program. access to pain relief options like epidurals, as well as traditional and C-section deliveries if needed.
Our Approach to Minimal Intervention Births
We offer a full scope of care for women seeking a more natural birthing experience in the safety of a hospital. You’ll receive personalized support from a collaborative team that may include an OB/GYN, a certified nurse midwife, or both — depending on your preferences and care needs. Doulas and birth coaches are also welcome and encouraged to work alongside our team to help carry out your birth plan.
Every labor and delivery nurse is specially trained in natural birth and labor support, and our private birthing suites are designed to promote comfort and choice. Whether you're planning an unmedicated birth or simply want to minimize interventions, we're here to support your goals — while keeping you and your baby safe.
Benefits of Having a Low-Intervention Birth at a Hospital
Having a low-intervention birth at a fully equipped Birthing Center offers many benefits, such as:
- Support for natural pain management and movement during labor
- A shorter recovery after delivery
- An earlier start to breastfeeding
- Access to expert care if complications occur
If needed, you or your baby can be seen by OB/GYN, NICU, lactation or maternal fetal care specialists without ever leaving the hospital.
Is a Low-Intervention Birth Right for Me?
Each pregnancy is different. Our low-intervention birth program may be right for you if you:
- Have no complex medical conditions
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or less (evaluated throughout your pregnancy)
- Are carrying a single baby
- Are between 34 weeks and 42 weeks of your pregnancy
- Have not previously had a caesarean section
- Have not previously had heart surgery
The low-intervention birthing program is open to all women who meet the low-risk pregnancy qualifications. For higher-risk pregnancies, our team may also be able to give you a low-intervention experience.
If you aren’t sure what’s right for you, our certified nurse midwives can answer your questions. For more information on qualifications, please call 573-499-6084.
Low-Intervention Birth Suites
Our program includes birthing suites that offer a homelike atmosphere to help expectant mothers relax. The comfortable birthing rooms in our low-intervention program feature:
- Hydrotherapy tubs. Sitting in water naturally eases labor pain and encourages relaxation.
- Comfortable beds. Our birthing beds are larger and more homelike than traditional hospital beds.
- Birthing stools, balls and slings. Squatting and sitting on these items during labor can help you better handle contraction pain.
- Wireless telemetry fetal monitors. Our staff continually monitors the health of your baby, allowing you to move freely without being connected to wires.
A Care Team That’s On the Same Page as You
Our certified nurse midwives and nurses are specially trained in natural labor and easing pain without medication. We can give you the emotional and physical support you need before, during and after childbirth.
What to Expect With a Low-Intervention Birth
Here’s what you can expect if you’re considering a natural or low-intervention childbirth at MU Health Care:
- You’ll meet with our team to make sure you are a good candidate based on your pregnancy and health history.
- You’ll have regular prenatal checkups from a family medicine provider, certified nurse midwife or an OB/GYN at MU Health Care. We aim to provide all the education and support you need to feel prepared for a natural birth.
- When you’re ready to deliver, you may bring your own doula or birth coach to the hospital.
- In our birthing suites, our certified nurse midwives or OB/GYNs will support you through a natural childbirth without medication. You may request an epidural for pain relief at any time during delivery.
- After delivery, your baby will receive the same testing, monitoring and postnatal care as other babies born at the hospital.
Schedule a Tour of Where You’ll Give Birth
We want you to feel as prepared and cared for as possible leading up to and during delivery. That’s why we offer tours of our Birthing Center in Columbia, mid-Missouri’s only low-intervention birth hospital, so you can know what to expect when you go to give birth.
See our low-intervention birth suites for yourself by signing up for a tour.
Why Choose MU Health Care for Low-Intervention Birth
- The region’s only in-hospital, low-intervention birth program: Our patients travel hours to MU Health Care to have a natural childbirth in a hospital setting.
- Certified nurse midwives: Our midwives have master’s degrees in midwifery care, which goes above and beyond the traditional training of other types of midwives.
- Expert care if complications arise: If you have a complication during delivery, you’ll have direct and instant access to specialists who know how to help. Unlike a natural childbirth at home, an in-hospital birth means your care team is right there when you need them.
