Why Are We Opening a Birth Center?

Since the Cincinnati Birth Center’s inception, we’ve been steadfast in our commitment to create a safe place for women and their families to grow. We set out to build a birthing center that made each woman who entered feel empowered and supported no matter where they’re at in their journey. While we’ve continued to serve families in the Cincinnati community since 2019, the birth center itself has been undergoing construction and renovation. Now, just in time for International Women’s Day, we’re excited to share that our renovations are nearly complete!

Soon, we’ll be opening the doors of our birth center for expecting mothers and their families who are looking to deliver their babies from the comforts of one of our rooms. Each room has been carefully designed with different styles, aesthetic, and moods in mind to provide expecting mothers with the opportunity to choose a space that best fits their personality and preference. For example, for the color-loving patient we have a colorful room decorated with bold shades of orange, purple, and pink. Alternatively for those seeking a classic aesthetic, we have a room filled with antique furniture, quilts, and a cottage-like atmosphere. Cincinnati Birth Center’s Director of Marketing and Operations, Luke Armbruster, says, “Our ultimate goal was to ensure that mothers from all backgrounds and personalities have a place that makes them feel empowered and welcomed here at the Cincinnati Birth Center.”

With the official opening of the birth center on the horizon, we thought this would be a great moment to ask Meghan and the team a few questions about their experience thus far and how they feel about the future of the center:

What is your primary motivation behind your work? In other words, what is your “why” behind the Cincinnati Birth Center?

“Right around the time that I began thinking about opening up the Cincinnati Birth Center, I learned about the staggering infant mortality rates facing women of color in Cincinnati, OH. Babies are dying in Cincinnati because they are being born too small and too soon. High amounts of stress in expecting mothers can trigger these birth issues and there's a lot that goes into that, such as lack of affordable housing, food desserts, institutionalized racism, discrimination, lack of opportunities, trauma - the list goes on.

I’m determined to reduce the current infant mortality rates in Cincinnati and Ohio. To do this we must improve integration of midwives in our state and provide more birthing options for families. That’s ultimately what we are doing by opening a stand-alone birth center.” - Meghan Nowland

How does the Cincinnati Birth Center empower women in the Cincinnati community?

Cincinnati Birth Center empowers by offering an additional birth option to women in Cincinnati. We provide personalized, respectful, informed care and shared decision making. I’ve found that when parents are listened to, informed about their options, and seen as active participants, women have more satisfying birth experiences. When families have a birth experience they feel proud of, it facilitates an easier and happier postpartum. Positive birth experiences increase quality of life! 

What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?

“With Meghan as our guiding light, the Cincinnati Birth Center has shown continuous growth while keeping our full focus on the care and support of our patients. This upcoming year is going to open the doors - literally - to a new way of assisting expecting mothers that are seeking alternative birthing options in the Cincinnati tri-state area. The opening of our birth center seeks to bring life into this world within the comfort of our walls- the same walls that our birthing team first met each family in and which housed each appointment in their pregnancy journey- is nothing short of incredible. Having the ability to walk through the halls of our building and feel the noticeable energy and liveliness of the space is something I’ve been eagerly awaiting for. Our center’s official grand opening is what I look forward to the most.” - Luke Armbruster

“I’m looking forward to finishing the renovations and licensing for the birth center so that we can offer the Cincinnati tri-state area another birthing option. It’s going to feel so good after all the waiting and hard work! I am also excited for the day when we can host regular community events and be a space for the community.” - Meghan Nowland

What are you looking for in a birth center?

Let us know by commenting below.