Portland Needs a Birth Center
Donation protected
I started Bayside Midwifery in January 2016 in hopes of getting my name out there, and using the funds from that practice to start a birth center in Portland. Well that time is now!
I have found the perfect location in Portland, however, it is looking like I will need to go for a commercial loan, which requires a huge down payment (20-25%). Although I have scrimped and saved for the past two years, it still isn't nearly enough! We've looked into every different option for procuring this land and this seems to be the best (and only) way we can go about it. So we are looking for people who share in this dream to donate any amount to help see this through.
Why should you care? Portland has three options for birth, Maine Med, Mercy, or home. Not everyone is comfortable with home birth, but everyone deserves the midwifery experience. Midwives believe that pregnancy and birth are a normal, physiological function of life, and not an illness or medical event. The vast majority of pregnancies are low-risk, and have the potential to go on to be uncomplicated births, if given the chance. It is my personal belief that pregnancy and birth offer us the opportunity to heal from so many things, to gain confidence, to find our power, and to bring our babies into the world surrounded by peace and love, and free from trauma. If we listen to pregnant people, really listen, we can change the outcomes of generations of families.
The birth center model has been proven to reduce disparities, to have equal (if not better) outcomes than hospitals for low-risk births, and fewer interventions (induction, c-section, forceps, vacuum, episiotomy) (https://downloads.cms.gov/files/cmmi/strongstart-prenatal-finalevalrpt-v1.pdf). Birth centers are also more cost effective and are now endorsed by the Federal government (https://innovation.cms.gov/Files/reports/strongstart-prenatal-fg-finalevalrpt.pdf). The US pays the most for healthcare compared to any other nation, but we rank 44th in maternal mortality (https://www.npr.org/2017/05/12/528098789/u-s-has-the-worst-rate-of-maternal-deaths-in-the-developed-world). Birth centers can help bridge the gaps in maternity care. We can offer a safe place for low-risk parents who want more options, freedom, and respect but aren't ready for a home birth, or who live far from a hospital. In rural Maine labor & delivery units are closing down leaving people with two options: drive for hours to the nearest hospital with a labor & delivery unit, or have a home birth. Birth centers can help change the landscape of birth in rural areas, and give people peace of mind.
We need to change our thinking around pregnancy and birth. We can no longer ignore the parents and their needs. A healthy baby is important, but it is not the only thing that matters. I firmly believe that healthy, supported, and informed parents are the key to a healthy baby. Please consider supporting this dream. Everyone deserves compassionate care, to feel heard, to leave their appointments without feeling ashamed for their choices, to be able to ask questions without being patronized, and to birth with dignity.
Bayside Birth & Wellness Center will also include offices for other alternative providers including acupuncture, massage, chiropractic & more! We hope to also be able to include a yoga/classroom space. We will also open a free, all-access perinatal clinic for those who will be birthing in a hospital, but wouldn't be able to afford or have access to prenatal care otherwise.
I have explored a couple of fundraising platforms, and although gofundme does not have the option for rewards-based donating, I would like to still offer rewards. In order to receive awards you cannot donate anonymously, you must give me a way to contact you (email is best).
Level 1: $100-249 personal thank you on social media (includes a link to your business if applicable).
Level 2: $250-499 level 1 reward + $100 gift card towards services good thru 2021
Level 3: $500-999 level 1 + personalized stone/brick in entry walkway (limit 75)
Level 4: $1,000-4,999 level 3 + be listed on the website as contributing partner for 1 year (limit 75)
Level 5: $5000-7,499 level 1+ a plaque in your honor inside the birth center & be listed on website as contributing partner for 2 years (limit 5)
Level 6: $7,500-9,999 level 1 and have your baby with us at no charge (or gift services to someone) & have your name listed on website for 2 years (limited to 5 donors).
OR
have a bench in your honor at the entrance of the birth center & have your name listed on the website for 2 years (limited to 2 donors).
Level 7: $10,000 level 1+ have a birth room named in your honor and be listed on website as contributing partner for 10 years (limited to 3 donors)
I have found the perfect location in Portland, however, it is looking like I will need to go for a commercial loan, which requires a huge down payment (20-25%). Although I have scrimped and saved for the past two years, it still isn't nearly enough! We've looked into every different option for procuring this land and this seems to be the best (and only) way we can go about it. So we are looking for people who share in this dream to donate any amount to help see this through.
Why should you care? Portland has three options for birth, Maine Med, Mercy, or home. Not everyone is comfortable with home birth, but everyone deserves the midwifery experience. Midwives believe that pregnancy and birth are a normal, physiological function of life, and not an illness or medical event. The vast majority of pregnancies are low-risk, and have the potential to go on to be uncomplicated births, if given the chance. It is my personal belief that pregnancy and birth offer us the opportunity to heal from so many things, to gain confidence, to find our power, and to bring our babies into the world surrounded by peace and love, and free from trauma. If we listen to pregnant people, really listen, we can change the outcomes of generations of families.
The birth center model has been proven to reduce disparities, to have equal (if not better) outcomes than hospitals for low-risk births, and fewer interventions (induction, c-section, forceps, vacuum, episiotomy) (https://downloads.cms.gov/files/cmmi/strongstart-prenatal-finalevalrpt-v1.pdf). Birth centers are also more cost effective and are now endorsed by the Federal government (https://innovation.cms.gov/Files/reports/strongstart-prenatal-fg-finalevalrpt.pdf). The US pays the most for healthcare compared to any other nation, but we rank 44th in maternal mortality (https://www.npr.org/2017/05/12/528098789/u-s-has-the-worst-rate-of-maternal-deaths-in-the-developed-world). Birth centers can help bridge the gaps in maternity care. We can offer a safe place for low-risk parents who want more options, freedom, and respect but aren't ready for a home birth, or who live far from a hospital. In rural Maine labor & delivery units are closing down leaving people with two options: drive for hours to the nearest hospital with a labor & delivery unit, or have a home birth. Birth centers can help change the landscape of birth in rural areas, and give people peace of mind.
We need to change our thinking around pregnancy and birth. We can no longer ignore the parents and their needs. A healthy baby is important, but it is not the only thing that matters. I firmly believe that healthy, supported, and informed parents are the key to a healthy baby. Please consider supporting this dream. Everyone deserves compassionate care, to feel heard, to leave their appointments without feeling ashamed for their choices, to be able to ask questions without being patronized, and to birth with dignity.
Bayside Birth & Wellness Center will also include offices for other alternative providers including acupuncture, massage, chiropractic & more! We hope to also be able to include a yoga/classroom space. We will also open a free, all-access perinatal clinic for those who will be birthing in a hospital, but wouldn't be able to afford or have access to prenatal care otherwise.
I have explored a couple of fundraising platforms, and although gofundme does not have the option for rewards-based donating, I would like to still offer rewards. In order to receive awards you cannot donate anonymously, you must give me a way to contact you (email is best).
Level 1: $100-249 personal thank you on social media (includes a link to your business if applicable).
Level 2: $250-499 level 1 reward + $100 gift card towards services good thru 2021
Level 3: $500-999 level 1 + personalized stone/brick in entry walkway (limit 75)
Level 4: $1,000-4,999 level 3 + be listed on the website as contributing partner for 1 year (limit 75)
Level 5: $5000-7,499 level 1+ a plaque in your honor inside the birth center & be listed on website as contributing partner for 2 years (limit 5)
Level 6: $7,500-9,999 level 1 and have your baby with us at no charge (or gift services to someone) & have your name listed on website for 2 years (limited to 5 donors).
OR
have a bench in your honor at the entrance of the birth center & have your name listed on the website for 2 years (limited to 2 donors).
Level 7: $10,000 level 1+ have a birth room named in your honor and be listed on website as contributing partner for 10 years (limited to 3 donors)
Organizer
Melissa Briggs
Organizer
Portland, ME
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