Holistic Birthing Center - St. John Medical Center

Our staff of midwives, nurses,
and physicians at St. John West Shore
Hospital is experienced in natural childbirth.
They will assist, support and guide the mother
and family through the birthing process.
The Holistic Birthing Center will not normally
use medications, epidurals or any other
intervention. Instead, the mother is encouraged
to utilize the birthing techniques offered
here, including:
• Aromatherapy
• Music therapy
• Water birthing
• Massage therapy, hydrotherapy
(shower or birthing tub)
• Birth ball, walking and squatting
Holistic
Birthing Center
Natural childbirth is a cost-effective, less
expensive childbirth alternative and is covered
by most insurance providers.
For more information on the Holistic Birthing
Center, call 1-877-597-6348
or visit www.sjws.net.
29000 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145
St. John West Shore Hospital
www.sjws.net
“Birth is a sacred, natural journey. The intimate connection
that is established through personal prenatal care between
the mother, the family and the practitioner enhances the
natural power to give birth. As practitioners we help the
woman to feel supported and safe, allowing her to birth
in her own unique way.”
— Colleen Brezine, CNM, MSN
Administrative Director of SJWS Nurse Midwifery
Welcome
to the Holistic Birthing Center
at St. John West Shore Hospital, Northeast
Ohio’s first hospital-based holistic birth center.
We believe that birth is a sacred, natural journey
that can unfold on its own. And we are here to
help make this experience possible for you, your
newborn and other family members.
As a hospital-based holistic birthing center, we
provide a unique environment that closes the
wide gap found between home birthing and
traditional hospital birthing suites.
Our program of care is designed in the wellness
model and guided by principles of prevention,
sensitivity, safety, and appropriate medical
intervention. We help to establish an intimate
connection through personal prenatal care
between the mother, the family and the midwife,
enhancing the power to give birth that lies within
each woman. We also help empower the family
to assume an active role in the birth of the baby.
Another important difference you will find at our
Holistic Birthing Center is that there is never
any separation between mother and baby, unless
unexpected complications arise. All treatments
and exams are always done in front of the parents
so that they may learn more about the baby.
Continuity of care is ensured because the same
staff takes care of the mother and baby together.
Our Holistic Birthing Center was designed for
healthy, low-risk mothers and healthy babies.
Birth is a normal process and intervention is
typically not needed for healthy mothers.
However, unlike natural childbirth at home,
the Holistic Birthing Center offers the safety
net of around-the-clock pediatric and
obstetric physician coverage.
During a recent focus group, most women
reported the desire to have a natural birth in a
hospital setting to avoid any “what if” factors.
Our Holistic Birthing Center is linked to an acute
care hospital to ensure that we
can get a mother or baby the
care they need should any
complication develop.
The Holistic Birthing
Center is located
adjacent to St. John
West Shore Hospital’s
Nursery and Family
Birthing Suites.