All About Birth Centres

Each month in our blog, the Alberta Association of Midwives discusses the important topics that matter to midwives and birthing people across our province. Join us as we take an inside look at the unique, personal, and compelling practice of midwifery in Alberta.

So, what is a birth centre?

Preparing for a new baby is a hectic time. Between picking up supplies, freezing meals for long days and sleepless nights, and attending countless medical appointments – there's a lot to do. So when it comes to choosing where to give birth, having someone who can take care of all the details in a clean, comfortable, and private space can be a really important factor in your decision.

There is no wrong place to give birth.

"There's been an evolution in our thoughts around birth autonomy over the past 15-20 years," explains Cassie Evans, co-owner of Honeycomb Midwives, who also runs the Arbour Birth Center in Calgary, "it's empowering to see that people can educate themselves and make their own decisions around something so important, such as choosing where they will give birth."

For some, a home birth environment offers comfort and solitude that may not be possible at a hospital. But what if your home is just not conducive to the labour process?  Whether that's due to other children or roommates in the home or a lengthy distance to the nearest hospital, many pregnant people are looking for a third option. That's where birth centres come in. 

Birth centres are community-based facilities that offer a safe, home-like atmosphere and family-centred space to labour and birth. 

Currently, there are five birth centres in Alberta, located in Calgary, Edmonton, Rocky Mountain House, St. Albert, and Plamondon (Lac La Biche). 

To access a birth centre, you must be in the care of a Registered Midwife. Alberta Health Services does not cover birth centres in Alberta, so you will pay a fee typically ranging between $450-$650. Some birth centres have worked with clients in financial need to help them find funding. If you're considering whether a birth centre is right for you, here's what you need to know.

Birth centres are safe for low-risk pregnancies

A large body of evidence supports midwifery care as a safe or even safer choice for low-risk, healthy pregnancies. Midwives often report low rates of medical intervention, regardless of choice of birthplace.

"Choice of birthplace is a cornerstone of midwifery practice, and for those who don't feel prepared for a birth at home, or don't want a hospital birth, birth centres are a comfortable alternative," explains Carly Beaulieu, the practice lead at Lucina Midwives & Lucina Birth Centre in Edmonton, "People appreciate birth centres because they offer the feel of a home birth as well as comfort, convenience, clean up and sometimes a prepared meal. They are usually located very close to the hospital and, as with any out-of-hospital birth, birth centres provide emergency transport systems with skilled providers who know when to go in if there is an emergency."

 "Birth centres are essentially the equivalent of a level one hospital," adds Carly, "which means they are close enough to a hospital that they have the ability to do C-Section within 30 minutes."

Birth centres have amenities you probably won't find at home

Most birth centres have amenities such as birthing pools (and an unlimited hot water supply) available for water births. Many have birth swings/slings, peanut balls, exercise balls, and squat stools available as well. And all birth centres (and midwives) carry emergency and neonatal resuscitation supplies, just like a hospital room.

Birth centre rooms are large, with a private bathroom and shower. A kitchen will also be on-site where you or your family members can store or prepare food. 

At some centres, your midwife will even make and serve a meal to you during your time at the centre (at Lucina midwives, their menu is pumpkin waffles with yogurt parfait. At Arbour Birth Center, they offer clients a bottle of sparkling grape juice to celebrate their baby's first birthday!) You'll typically stay at the birth centre for 2-4 hours after birth. If everyone is healthy, you'll then be able to head home (to a clean house)! 

 The popularity of birth centres is growing

"When I first started at Lucina, we were about 5-8 births a month, and that has now grown to 18-20 per month. Over the last ten years, we've had over 1600 people plan for their birth at our centre!" Says Carly, "and we're regularly helping people in other provinces and even in The United States set up birth centres in their region. I find that once the option becomes available, it tends to really explode in popularity."

For Cassie, there are three primary reasons clients choose a birth centre for their birth. "The opportunity for a water birth is huge because it is difficult to have one otherwise. Even if you have a birth pool at home, there can be constraints and limitations (for example, you might not have a water tank that can fill it). Birth centres typically also carry nitrous oxide, which can be helpful for pain management in labour. And midwives love working at birth centres because they have everything they need at their fingertips." 

Birth centres are a great option during (and after) the pandemic

As hospitals limit visitors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, birth centres provide an excellent alternative. As much smaller facilities, birth centres typically only have one family accessing the space at a time. This makes them an excellent and safer option to give birth and still have the people that matter most by your side.

Midwives in Alberta continue working to improve access to birth centres

While birth centres are covered by provincial healthcare funding in some parts of Canada, that is not yet the case in Alberta. And the reality is that operating a birth centre is not profitable; the fees barely cover the facility's expenses. But that's not the point. The goal for midwives like Carly and Cassie is to continue to offer birthing people in Alberta choice. 

"It can be confusing for clients to understand that midwifery is funded but that birth centres are not. Choice of birthplace is a pillar of midwifery care, so I understand it can feel confusing that these aren't funded," admits Cassie.

But ultimately, birth centres are very much a community-driven initiative, and centres across our province will continue to look for ways to expand their services and improve access to their facilities. For Carly and the midwives at Lucina, this includes looking at creative solutions such as applying for non-profit status so they can access grants to help fund more births at the centre. The Alberta Association of Midwives will also continue to advocate for midwives like Carly and Cassie so that they can improve access and choice for safe, healthy birth to all birthing people in our province – at home, in the hospital, or at a birth centre!

Consider a birth centre for your birth if you want a fantastic experience!

The Alberta Association of Midwives promotes the growth and sustainability of midwives and midwifery services in Alberta. We tell the stories of midwives in our province so that the profession of midwifery is understood, respected, and valued in our communities.

If you have a story to share about midwifery in Alberta, connect with us to be featured in a future blog post.