The Birthing Spa and the modern childbirth movement had its beginnings in 1933 when Grantly Dick-Read’s book, Childbirth Without Fear was first published. His work paved the way for further development of the modern childbirth movement by influencing several other pioneers.
In the 1940s, Dr. Fernand Lamaze, a French obstetrician, popularized an alternative to medical interventions and developed the Lamaze method to help cope with the pain of childbirth in ways that facilitate labor and promote comfort. He reasoned that with supportive people by her side she could journey through labor and birth with little or no sedating medication. This method allows a new mother to be alert to form healthy and vital bonds with her newborn.
Years later, in the late 60s, Dr. Robert Bradley, an American obstetrician, published Husband Coached Childbirth and encouraged a mother-animal pattern of relaxing in a calm environment to promote natural childbirth. This method allows a woman to feel more in charge of her birthing experience. He also pioneered the practice of welcoming fathers into the labor and delivery area in order to support the mother-to-be in labor. A decade later, Dr. Michael Odent, a French obstetrician, revolutionize the labor ward by encouraging women to move about during labor. He also introduced whirlpool tubs into the labor process as an additional comfort measure for a woman.
The Birth of The Birthing Spa
Like those before us, we believe that a woman inherently knows what her body needs during the labor and birth process. We help our patients commune with their bodies, move freely, and rejoice in childbirth. Or birthing center which first opened its doors in 1985, at Ephraim McDowell Fort-Logan Hospital (EMFLH), pioneered luxury birth centers in the state of Kentucky. We are proud to consistently maintain one of the lowest C-section rates in the state.
For more than 30 years we have used the LDRP concept for all our births. This allows a woman to labor, deliver, recover, and remain in the birthing suite for her postpartum stay -- with her husband and baby by her side.
The Birthing Spa opened its new facility in 2008 when EMFLH opened its new state-of-the-art hospital. The Birthing Spa was the first hospital unit of its kind in the nation. The elements of The Birthing Spa were developed in order to help pamper a woman at a time when she needs it the most. We continue to use the LDRP concept so that our mothers, fathers, and babies can form bonds throughout their entire hospital stay.
Our well-appointed suites are furnished with rocking chairs, therapeutic massage chairs, and a large private bath with a whirlpool and a separate walk-in multi-head shower. Families can find comfort in our beautiful garden, listen to our soothing fountain, and welcome guests with our open visiting policy. We encourage father-assisted births and children are welcomed at all stages of labor and birth process as desired by the parents. After delivery, a professional massage therapist performs a complimentary ½ hour therapeutic massage.
Furthermore, each of the doctors and midwives who deliver in The Birthing Spa are typically on call every day so you can have your own, trusted physician or midwife present when you go into labor and delivery. We value the relationship you’ve developed over the course of your pregnancy with your personal physician or midwife.
We look forward to helping you and empowering you throughout your pregnancy. It’s our mission to safely deliver a beautiful and memorable birthing experience. We look forward to meeting you and your family and to welcoming your baby into the world.
Also visit Bates, Miller & Sims, our full service practice of Family Medicine that includes
obstetrics, pediatrics, family medicine and gynecology.
www.batesmillersims.com