What would you call this place?

[Charmie981]

Unfortunately, my "birth center" won't be able to be a birth center any time soon, so I'm working with what I have and creating a childbirth resource center...a place where doulas can meet with clients that has a classroom, two small multipurpose offices, a reception area and a bathroom. My vision is to have childbirth classes here, to have a new moms support group, to offer the space to mother-friendly nonprofits for free and to loan the space to other birth professionals for a small hourly fee. I want to call it something, but "childbearing resource center" is too long. I don't want to give the impression of it being an abortion clinic or a pro life alternative clinic, nor do I want to give the impression of it being a place where any clinical tasks are performed or where births take place.

So, does anyone have any ideas??

[ScootchsMom]

I have the hopes of doing something similar in the future and am interested in the responses you get. Good luck, and good for you!

Liz

[Charmie981]

My brainstorms:
childbirth resource center
birth resource center
center for birth education
the birth place
family resource center
center for new families
birth support center
new family services

I'm really hating the word "resource" and the word "center." They sound so...cold. I feel like I really want the name of this place to reflect what goes on there, but I'm wondering if that's unrealistic?

[Mamabeakley]

Do you have a name for the business, as opposed to the physical location? I do think "resource" and "center" are going to be hard to get away from if you choose a name for the physical location - maybe not so much for a business name . . .

How about:

Birthspring
The Birthing Well
Birth Springs
The Birth Pantry (I think I'm kidding about this one, but . . .)
The Family Well

I.e., places you go for (re)sources you need + birth

[GrrlyElizabeth]

The Pregnancy Palace? Just kidding. That sounds like an awesome place! It sounds similar to this place in Albuquerque that my friend has told me about: http://www.bodymindandspiritabq.com/ or this place near my home: http://www.familyconnectionsonline.org/. Maybe you could look through those sites and see what language they use.

I like your idea for "new family services. "You could also turn to the ol' thesaurus and use a word like hub or heart instead of center. Heart of the Family, Mama Hub, The Belly Place, Family Place, Birth & Family Center... those are my ideas on restless baby nursing, tossing, & turning all night long sleep.

[sweetfeet]

The name With Woman popped into my head so I thought I'd share.

[Charmie981]

Yes, I'm looking for a name for the actual place, not my own business, which is named EdenWay Birth.

I like the spring or well idea and thanks for the links to other places who do similar things. I'll browse through those and see what I can see .

The MS Word thesaurus didn't come up with anything I liked for "resource." I might have to find my ACTUAL thesarus!

[Stacymom]

This might not be exactly what you are looking for, but something similar just opened up in the same state where I am.

Check this out.

[3daughters]

We have a couple of local places that fill a similar niche with clever names.

http://www.maternalwellness.org/

http://www.familybirthmark.com/

[Charmie981]

3 daughters, those are EXACTLY what I'm wanting to do. Thanks. I may give one of them a call and see if they'd be willing to let me pick their brains.

I am really appreciative of all the info. I knew other places were doing this, but when there's not really a category for it, its hard to find any of them!

[Peppamint]

We have a place like that nearby and it's named Bloomington Area Birth Services but everyone calls it BABS. So the nickname is catchy anyway, if you have to go that route. They offer prenatal yoga, doula and midwife referrals, Bradley classes, mom and baby visiting hour etc.

Good luck, it sounds great!

[courtenay_e]

There is a place nearby here, in Ann Arbor, MI. called The Center for the Childbearing Year. They are a wonderful resource for women in the area. Sounds like you're going to provide many of the same services. Google them! I think they'd be happy to talk to you about what they do.

[quantumleap]

What about something with the word "agora" in it? As in, the Greek (I think!) community gathering place/public forum/space for discussion. I also like the "With Woman" concept that the pp suggested.

[Jane]

The typical euphemism for birth is "family" - starting a family = having a baby, after all. The childbirth floor at one local hospital is the "Family Beginnings Center".
Family House?

[1stimestar]

My Sisters' Place.

I've always wanted to get a place just to use this name lol. But I'll share it with you if you want. I like that it implies women helping women, not only for birth related information but family and personal support and resources too. Who do many of us talk to about our families or go to when we need something?

[zofranland]

if you will be renting out to breastfeeding support groups you could call the place "from birth to breast"

[3daughters]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

3 daughters, those are EXACTLY what I'm wanting to do. Thanks. I may give one of them a call and see if they'd be willing to let me pick their brains.

Glad to have been helpful!

[Spring Sun]

I have been thinking about doing this as well. Just off the top of my head..
The Red Tent Women's Center

[Maggi315]

I am wanting to do something just like this. I would like to have a place for clients to deliver, but "lay" midwives can't have birth centers here and my husband doesn't want people delivering here, too much stress on the family.

The one that calls itself a "nataloc" or something like that is very interesting. Anyone know how they work that with the providers? What fee do they charge? do the providers charge their fee, then the facility fee on top of that? Who does the cleaning up?

And the big question: is it really a legal thing to do or will you just get into hot water with an unlicensed birth center? Because it seems that just changing the name wouldn't mean much in a court or anything.

thanks for all the links