Any Feedback on the following PDX Birth Centers?

463 Views 15 Replies 15 Participants Last post by misto, Apr 14, 2006

phreephara

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2006

Hi,
I am really considering making a switch from a hospital birth to a birth center. I have appts at the following places and would love some feedback on them. Thanks in advance!

Alma
Andaluz
Natural Childbirth Clinic

FBH
due 9-10-06

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Victorian

· #2 · Apr 7, 2006

Hi. I have a good friend that is a midwife at Alma. Her name is Kate Howe. She is a great midwife and was a doula for years first so she has great "bedside manners" and labor support skills. She was at my homebirth (not as the primary midwife - this was a while back) and was a good asset. The birth center is lovely, with a great relaxing atmosphere.

I have no info on the others

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mamanurse

· #3 · Apr 7, 2006

My friend just gave birth at Andaluz. She had a mixed experience. The birth center was full when she decided it was time to go in and they told her she might have to be diverted to a hospital. Her partner and her went there anyway and walked around the grounds for awhile. A midwife checked her and she was 5 cm. They continued to labor there and the midwives asked a mother who had deliverd 10 hours prior if she would mind packing up so another mom could take her place. So, my buddy got to take her place. I felt a little sorry for the mom who was "kicked out," but my friend had a wonderful experience birthing there.

jennlindsey

· #4 · Apr 7, 2006

That's interesting, mamanurse -- I'm set to deliver there in 6 weeks, hoping something like that doesn't wind up happenin' to me -- I know occasionally they have had issues with shuffling clients around to get everyone to fit in all three rooms.

But ... I have been *delighted* with my prenatal care, and their billing person is top-notch. I wish they were a little more convenient location wise, but other than that, good stuff.

KatSG

· #5 · Apr 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamanurse
My friend just gave birth at Andaluz. She had a mixed experience. The birth center was full when she decided it was time to go in and they told her she might have to be diverted to a hospital. Her partner and her went there anyway and walked around the grounds for awhile. A midwife checked her and she was 5 cm. They continued to labor there and the midwives asked a mother who had deliverd 10 hours prior if she would mind packing up so another mom could take her place. So, my buddy got to take her place. I felt a little sorry for the mom who was "kicked out," but my friend had a wonderful experience birthing there.

That was my experience with Anadaluz with dd. I'm a little shy to post about it since in a previous thread I posted this, and the owner came on here and denied that happened to me or any of their clients, which was pretty upsetting. I went to the hospital, the MW left me there to go back to the birth center, I delivered with one of the OBs I'd seen previously, and I didn't hear from Andaluz for 4 days. I never got my home visit, either.

Now I'm with Alma and I LOVE them. I, undestandably, had some issues with trust, but we worked through them. I am so excited to have this baby, largely because I'm excited for my MW team (Laura, Laurie and Jenn) to be a part of it. I just met another mom yesterday who happens to be with them, too, and she loves them as well.

I interviewed the midwife/naturopath at Natural Childbirth Clinic and thought she was very qualified, we just didn't click with her as well. Her clinic is also very far from where we live. I would still recommend her as someone to meet.

Questions I asked were: how do you feel about twins, breech, GBS and such. I wanted to know up front that if something out of my control happened with my pregnancy how it was going to affect my birth options. Many MWs are just as worried about these situations as OBs are, in my experience, and often will release you from care.

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TurboClaudia

· #6 · Apr 7, 2006

i remember that thread, KatSG, and I thought it was weird that Jennifer Gallardo responded so publically and in such detail to your experiences. I imagine it might have felt invalidating to you...

phreephara, can i inqure why you would like to be a birth center with homebirth midwives when you could also give birth at home with them coming to you? just curious about your reasons...

i have friends who have used all three birth centers and all have been very positive about their experiences. one had a homebirth with natural family, one had a birth center birth and then recently a homebirth with andaluz, another two had birth center births with andaluz, one had a birth center birth with alma before it was in the new location, and one is currently planning a homebirth with alma.

~claudia

vkberes

· #7 · Apr 8, 2006

I gave birth at Andaluz and had a great experience. My family and I always felt very comfortable when we were there and when I went into labor and decided to go in I was the only client present. I was GBS+, received great info about my choices, and the midwives and I agreed for me, dh and baby dd to stay there for 24 hours for monitoring after the birth. I felt like a queen with the postpartum doula care (massage, yummy shakes, etc.) and a midwife in training also stayed overnight with us and took terrific care of us.

I think with any birth center it is a valid concern about what happens when there is an overload. Most midwives only handle x amount of clients for a given due date month but you really can't control when the bizarre happens and women go into labor early, right on time, late and all end up there at the same time.

ETA: I don't know if it makes a difference or not but I gave birth there exactly 2 years ago. I have no idea if they changed policies, client load, etc.

EStreetMama

· #8 · Apr 8, 2006

I love Jennifer Gibbons at Natural Family & Childbirth. Did not have my baby with her but I could have...just didn't work out that way.

Also, Taya Lindley is a wonderful accupuncturist (and home-birthing mama) there.

buffybutt

· #9 · Apr 8, 2006

I delivered at alma in october and I cant say enough good things about my birth team(laura, melissa, laurie) They were all great. I went 18 days past due also with no problems. They are great, are willing to let you birth the way you need to, and so supportive. Congrats on your thought to change. Good luck with where ever you choose.
Angie

ancoda

· #10 · Apr 8, 2006

I delivered at Andaluz last Nov. it was the greatest to me. All the midwives there were so nice to me. They were so nice to all of my family members. I had a long labor so in the end I had three of the midwives there for my birth.

Stephanie L.

· #11 · Apr 13, 2006

3

Wow, so sorry to hear about any less-than-blissful Andaluz experiences... I birthed there twice in the last few years and was the only client both times in labor then. We actually used two of the birth suites to sleep last time so our newly family of four could split up for rest/sanity purposes.

I was A QUEEN! treated soooo well!

Talk about BLISS!

I highly reccommend their team. They are always so friendly, knowlegeable, nurturing, wise. I have decided that I want to work in the field after my experiences with them.

ALSO~ by the time you are due the BC might be moved to another location and could have more birth suites available, if that were an issue. They'd discussed moving to a better location and I don't know if that's in the works or what.

I loved my one-on-one continuity of care, the four-poster beds, the bird sanctuary view, the take-out AND home-cooked meals they provided. The positive experiences they gave us were endless.

I attended the birth of my friend, also a client, who had a long labor and needed a nap (epidural-style) and transferred late in labor and they did her homevisits and post-partum appointment like always. They've always provided great care as far as I'd ever previously heard.

Best wishes to you!!!

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mommaof3

· #12 · Apr 13, 2006

I (of course) highly recommend homebirth as another option, there are SO MANY wonderful midwives in this town, and they come to you with all the same experience and needed supplies, they clean everything up afterwards, and visit very often in the first weeks - AND you don't have to drive anywhere when you're in labor or strap a tiny newborn baby into a carseat!!

Em (3 HBACs!)

liawbh

· #13 · Apr 13, 2006

I had a fabulous experience at Andaluz, as well. I loved the atmosphere, and all the people there. Their attitude re: birth really "clicked" with me. Laboring and birthing in the water was super.

I found the BC to be the perfect compromise for our family. DH was very hesitant about homebirth, especially since there aren't any MWs close to us, or higher level NICUs.

The MWs (I saw Carrie and Sonya) are wonderful, as were the apprentices I had.. We had to transfer E. to OHSU at 6 hours PP for resp. trouble, and they were sooo great. The apprentice stayed with us for HOURS, made sure I got to a breast pump, brought food, tea, and checked in with us. SOmeone came by everyday, and called often.

Another great thing about Andaluz is the community. They have potlucks once or twice a year, playgroups regularly, and are super friendly.

liawbh

· #14 · Apr 13, 2006

I don't at all want to invalidate anyone's experience, but I do think it's important to note that the Andaluz policy is that if tehy were ever to be full, they would come to your home with a portable tub. Only if your home is not an option would they send you to a hospital. Jennifer Gallardo has offered to discuss this with anyone who had questions.

You can do a search here for "andaluz" to read her exact words, and get her ph #.

pdx.mothernurture

· #15 · Apr 14, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victorian
Hi. I have a good friend that is a midwife at Alma. Her name is Kate Howe. She is a great midwife and was a doula for years first so she has great "bedside manners" and labor support skills. She was at my homebirth (not as the primary midwife - this was a while back) and was a good asset. The birth center is lovely, with a great relaxing atmosphere.

I have no info on the others

I second the recommendation for Kate Howe. I've worked with her as a birth assistant three times now, and she (and Pamela, the other midwife she works with) are great. If I were planning any more babies, I'd probably birth there or at home.

Jen

PS. As an intactivist, I have a -big- issue with the Natural Childbirth and Family Clinic. PM me if you need details.

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misto

· #16 · Apr 14, 2006

Hi! I'm currently working with Laura, Sarah, and Yvette at Alma and am planning a home birth. I cannot say enough great things about them! I miscarried a while back, shortly after our second appointment with them for that pregnancy. They were so incredibly kind, supportive, generous, and competent that I was insistent upon working with them for my current pregnancy & birth. The birth center is terrific. It is in an old four-square house in inner southeast Portland. There are two birthing suites complete with Jacuzzi tubs and private bathrooms upstairs, as well as a common-room. Downstairs they have a large common-room which they often use for gatherings and classes. They also have a kitchen, a bathroom, and an appointment room with a private bathroom downstairs. Everyone who works at Alma is warm, friendly, and compassionate. Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck choosing the right birth center for you!

Christine

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