Community Birth Center

Community Birth Center is a free-standing birth center in Lacey, WA (Nisqually/ Squaxin Territory) dedicated to bringing accessible, culturally-matched midwifery care options to our community while expanding and diversifying the midwifery profession through mentorship of birth workers of color, preservation of birth traditions, and delivery of highly competent clinical care.

There is a need for birth centers that are accessible to diverse birthing families and open to community midwives who currently are unable to offer midwifery services in a licensed birthing facility. We are excited to change this dynamic for the community and increase the potential for midwives and clients to have options for a safe, accessible birthing experience that is inclusive of all diverse family structures, where families can be served by a midwife of their choosing. We gladly accept all major insurances, including WA Apple Health plans, creating an incredibly accessible out-of-hospital birthing option for all.  

Community Birth Center provides a space where every person who desires to build a family shall be fully supported in their decision, however, that may present through race, culture, ability, gender identity, or family structure. No family is the same, but all families share similar unconditional love through birth and parenthood, and we believe all families deserve culturally-safe and affirming care. 

         (photo credit Whitney Hardie) 

SUPPORTING BIRTH WORKERS OF COLOR

Community Birth Center is dedicated to creating a space that trains, employs, mentors, and provides opportunities for birth workers of color. We prioritize training Black, Indigenous, and students of color in our practice in order to diversify the profession and increase the capacity for culturally-matched care.

 

We know we can positively impact the racial inequities in maternal healthcare systems by dismantling barriers for upcoming midwives of color, so they can rise to fulfill the roles needed in their communities. It's clear that these disparities have layers of intersections, therefore, by removing the barriers and elevating future birthworkers of color we can expand and improve the midwifery profession and offer clients a care team that is reflective of their race, culture, and background. 

Studies show that midwifery care directly improves outcomes, especially in communities most affected by institutional racism (Vedam et al., 2018). It is the continuity with clients and our model of care that sets midwifery apart and ensures that families are supported and heard throughout their care and beyond.  

OUR ASK

We humbly invite you to support this project with a donation towards the Community Birth Center. We are seeking funding to support our programming for our BIPOC communities, our BIPOC students, and our ongoing programs to train professionals through our ongoing training such as the 'Addressing Racism and Bias' conferences.

There is an ongoing need for out-of-hospital birthing options, we are seeing a high demand for more birthing options that promote less exposure and risk.

We are asking for your support to keep the momentum driving forward, a call to action to support our ongoing work and maintain our existing programming. We are calling in all of our support, whether it is by helping us spread the campaign widely or contributing funds towards the greater vision, we are incredibly grateful for your generosity and support. We know that it's going to take the collective support of the community to improve the outcomes of Black, Indigenous and Birthing families of color, and we need your support to continue to do our part.

If you would like to know more about our organization, please reach out to our director, Terri Chi-Lee at hello@community-birthcenter.com

Thank you very much for your support, we are so grateful for the opportunity to increase birthing options for the community, built by the community. 

With gratitude,

Terri Chi-Lee & the Community Birth Center Team

Resources

WA State Department of Health: 2023 Maternal Mortality Review Report. Retrieved on 03/14/2023. https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/department-health-announces-release-2023-maternal-mortality-review-report

CDC. (2020). Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System. Retrieved on 11/10/20 from www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance-system.htm

Scarf, V., Rossiter, C., Vedam, S., Dahlen, HG, Ellwood, D., Forster, D., et al. (2016). Maternal and perinatal outcomes by planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Midwifery, Volume 62, 2018, Pages 240-255,ISSN 0266-6138, doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.03.024. Study 

Vedam S., Stoll K., MacDorman M., Declercq E., Cramer R., Cheyney M., et al. (2018). Mapping integration of midwives across the United States: Impact on access, equity, and outcomes. PLoS ONE 13(2): e0192523. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192523. Study 

WA State Department of Health: Prevention and Community Health Division. (2019). Washington State Maternal Mortality Review Panel: Maternal Deaths 2014-2016. October 2019. RCW 70.54.450. Retrieved on 11/10/20 from www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/141-010-MMRPMaternalDeathReport2014-2016.pdf.