Cesarean sections are on the rise in the United States, with one in three mothers now having surgical intervention when giving birth. This increase in what some consider to be unnecessary intervention might be partially responsible for another birthing method that is quickly gaining popularity.

According to the Center for Disease Control Vital Statistics, the occurrence of out-of-hospital births, (those occurring at home or at a birthing center) though still rare, has been steadily rising since 2004. The women choosing these births are largely rural, white, married, over 25, and have already experienced several successful pregnancies.

In Salem, women who wish to experience out-of-hospital births often find their way to the Bella Vie Gentle Birth Center. Situated in a picturesque 1860s farm house on a large fruit orchard, Bella Vie is reminiscent of a peaceful vacation spot. Inside the fully remodeled building, each of the center’s “birthing suites” are styled to resemble a luxurious bed and breakfast rather than a hospital. The bright and spacious rooms include a large birthing tub, as well as DVDs, stereo, plush towels and candles.

The clinic, staffed by two licensed certified midwives and one certified nurse midwife, aids mothers through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They supply modern medical equipment for the birthing process, though they do not offer any medication for pain control. Instead, they attempt to help a mother manage her natural pain with methods including hydrotherapy, massage, herbs and acupressure.

Despite the lack of drugs, modern midwives such as those who staff Bella Vie are far advanced from the fairy-tale stereotype of grubby women chanting incantations and burning sage. Becoming a licensed certified midwife involves a challenging course of study and experience. Certification can only be obtained through attending at least 40 births, personally catching 20 babies, years of schooling and three national exams. For specific Oregon certification, even more experience and examinations are required.

Not all expectant mothers are candidates for a Bella Vie birth. According to American Public Health Association birth center guidelines, only women whose pregnancies have been completely free of complication can be admitted to a birthing center. Bella Vie follows these guidelines along with some of their own, to insure the safety of their clients.

Desiree LeFave is both a midwife at Bella Vie and its owner. LeFave said, “Our midwifery training and experience has taught us that in the vast majority of cases, everything goes very well. Occasionally though, it can become more appropriate to be in the hospital. This ends up happening between about 6 and 10 percent of the time at Bella Vie.”

Bella Vie arranges quick transportation to a nearby hospital should complications arise.

There are many reasons a mother might choose to have her birthing experience outside of a hospital setting.

According to LeFave, “Some of the factors that weigh in on the people’s decisions to birth with us are the unreasonably high C-section rate for this country, the idea that pregnancy is not an illness and that they would rather be treated in a way that promotes a healthy mama and baby, and the respect that comes from a balanced relationship between provider and client, where midwives take their time to honestly educate based on evidence-based practices and clients make informed choices. The reality is that midwives have more time with each individual client.”

Attentive care is one of the most distinguishing services Bella Vie offers. “From hour-long prenatal appointments to a post-partum massage during a 48 hour stay, Bella Vie focuses on the experience as well as keeping in the midwifery tradition of holistic, physiological care,” says LeFave.

Bella Vie is also deeply involved in the Mama Baby Haiti Project, an endeavor to create a free birthing clinic in Haiti to “provide prenatal, birth, postpartum, and pediatric care, as well as education and other life-saving services.” The clinic will be staffed by naturopathic doctors and midwives, largely on a volunteer basis. LeFave is extremely active with the cause, having just returned from Haiti the night before our interview.

A fundraiser will be held for the Mama Baby Haiti project on the 14th of August. More information about the project can be found at www.mamababyhaiti.org.

For most of history, birth has been an ordeal; dangerous and terrifying. Modern medicine introduced new ways to mitigate the suffering it caused, through drugs, a large medical staff, and surgeries. Bella Vie believes in a different approach.

LeFave said, “We feel like birth doesn't just need to be safe, but also satisfying, and we aim to achieve that. Our hope and aim is to not disturb the natural process. Most births, no matter where they take place can be observed unobtrusively. In working with the clients that choose us, we can give them all the tools that they need to give birth normally and without intrusive interventions.”

For more information go to http://www.gentlebirthcenter.com.