Family Birth Center
Pregnancy is a time of enormous excitement, tremendous anticipation and countless questions. Your growing family deserves the best possible care in a warm and friendly environment. That's what we provide at the CMH Family Birth Center and CMH-OHSU Health Women's Center.
Whether this is your first birth or you're already a mom, you can count on us to provide the expert care and support you need to have the best pregnancy and birth experience possible.
Personalized OB care
Every woman's pregnancy and labor are unique. At Columbia Memorial Hospital, we are your partners in pregnancy, from prenatal care through labor and delivery and postpartum care. Our providers will learn about you as a person so they can help you prepare for birth and work with you to create a birthing plan that meets your expectations.
Our team of caregivers includes certified nurse-midwives and board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists. They're supported around the clock by pediatricians and nurse anesthetists.
Our labor and delivery nurses average 15 years of experience in this specialty, so they're well-versed in everything from natural births to breastfeeding and positioning to postpartum care. You won't find this level of experience at most other birthing centers.
Because the relationship between patient and provider is so important, our moms see the same provider for the duration of their pregnancies. You'll have that one nurse you can always call with a question. And you'll go into the birthing experience confident and comfortable. The CMH team is with you all the way.
If you choose to work with a doula, they are welcome here. We often work with North Star Doula Service to support women during their pregnancies.
Our birth suites
Our priority is a healthy experience for mom and baby. We also understand that comfort is important — for both you and your care partner. That's why our four birth suites are high-tech, but homey. Each one includes a private bathroom, refrigerator and baby bed — as well as daybed for your care partner.
We also offer other amenities, such as a labor tub, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and birthing balls to help you during labor and delivery.
Pregnancy and weight gain: Myth or fact?
Gaining the right amount of weight when you're expecting can help you have a healthy baby. That's just one reason it's so important to know the difference between fact and fiction when it comes to pregnancy and weight gain. Take this quiz and see if you're in the know.
Myth or fact: I should double my calories now that I'm "eating for two."
Myth. An expanding tummy isn't an excuse to overeat. Most women don't need any extra calories during the first trimester. The amount you need later depends on many factors. So it's best to ask your provider about your calories needs.
Myth or fact: The more weight I gain, the healthier and stronger my baby will be.
Myth. If you gain too much, you're more likely to have a bigger-than-average baby and—as a result—a complicated birth. Your baby is more likely to have birth defects or become obese. Gaining too little weight can also hurt your baby's health.
Myth or fact: Not every pregnant woman should gain the same amount of weight.
Fact. Talk to your doctor about what's best for you and your baby. Doctors typically use a woman's body mass index before she was pregnant as a gauge for how many pregnancy pounds she should add.
Myth or fact: It's OK to diet while I'm expecting.
Myth. While you certainly want to be careful about what you eat—and make healthy food choices every day—pregnancy is never the time to diet. If you don't get the calories you need, your baby might not get the right amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals.
Myth or fact: Breastfeeding can help burn off pounds from pregnancy.
Fact. Not only does breastfeeding benefit babies, it helps new moms burn calories. That means nursing can help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight faster than feeding your baby with formula.
You need to consume the right nutrients—like protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and calcium—to help you and your baby stay healthy.
Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians; National Academy of Medicine; March of Dimes; National Institutes of Health
Your care partner and visitors
Your loved ones play an important role in any birth. Of course, your care partner is welcome at all times. There are no visitation restrictions, but visitors 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old. Additionally, your pet can visit you in the hospital!
We'll give your care partner free meals during your stay. And after delivery, we celebrate. You and your care partner can order a three-course, restaurant-quality meal from a special menu. This is just another way we make your experience at CMH special.
Learn more
We're honored to partner with you through pregnancy, delivery and beyond. To learn more, call us at 503.338.7581.