Ancient Paths Midwifery & Family Birth Center

This review is so ridiculously overdue that I’m beyond ashamed of myself! My beautiful baby boy Ezra was delivered by Lori and Melanie at APM via VBAC!!! I had such an amazing experience with them and should have been shouting it from my Unilocal rooftop but I got crazy busy with 2 babies under 2, yada-​yada-​yada. Rest assured, I have been spreading the word in person to anyone that’ll listen. I came to Ancient Paths when I was about 28 weeks pregnant. Before that, I had been seeing an OBGYN at Loma Linda that claimed to be VBAC friendly. As the pregnancy progressed it became very clear that she wasn’t as VBAC friendly as she made it seem. At my last appointment with her at 28 weeks, she said out of nowhere that she was going to start doing routine ultrasounds at every appointment starting at 32 weeks to monitor the baby’s size (mind you, I maintained healthy weight gain and was still working out regularly!) She said that she wanted to make sure our baby stayed under 8 pounds or she would want to do a repeat csection. She had never mentioned that before and honestly, her tone made me feel like she had already decided to do a repeat CSec. I couldn’t take that risk after an emotionally traumatic C-​section with my first baby. I’ll spare you the details but I will say that it lead to some prolonged baby blues and made me terrified of my next birthjng experience. Anyway, I went to one of the «Meet the Midwife» sessions at the APM Birthing Center and instantly felt so much positive energy and encouragement. We called the next day to see if we could deliver there since we were late in the game and luckily, she had room for us! We started the insurance process and made billing arrangements immediately. My checkups were all so comfortable, never felt like a routine, cold medical appt. I always felt at home & like I was in the most knowledgable, caring hands. Lori’s vast experience and lifetime commitment to her calling are what make this place as amazing as it is. You can see the influence of Lori’s standard of care in Melanie and the rest of the team as well. When the big day came, I spent the first few hours of my labor on the phone with Lori and Melanie before I came in. I was so afraid that things were going to take a turn for the worse again, but they were so positive and uplifting that I was able to just focus on my current experience. They gave me incredible strength and faith when I felt my courage slipping away. After I arrived at the birthing center, I never felt pressured or rushed or worried. I felt so comfortable and in the throes of labor, they just let me and my body handle business. Lori came into our room for periodic checkups and offered her quiet, loving encouragement. Tanya, the massage therapist, also came in throughout the day and gave me so much physical relief! My husband tried to massage me but Tanya knew EXACTLY what I needed at every stage. My labor started at 3am, I got to the birthing center shortly after 8am, I started pushing at 9pm and my son was born via VBAC in the tub at 11:55pm. It was a LONG day for all of us but I will cherish that experience forever. I can offer this final comparison of my awful, rushed, impersonal hospital experience at Long Beach Memorial vs my wonderful, amazing experience at Ancient Paths: After my daughter was born, the OB-Gyn’s first words to me were «Girrrrrl, you really made me work today. I’ll come check on you tomorrow» But after my son was born, Lori looked at me and said, «Sandra… You worked sooo hard for your VBAC and you got it!» What a difference. Life-​changing, truly. And I’m super bummed that it took me so long to write this review. Do yourself a solid and go to APM even if you’re only slightly considering it. It’s sooo worth it.

I couldn’t recommend this place enough if you’re interested in having a natural birth. After checking out a few different birth centers, I chose Ancient Paths because it’s where I felt the most comfortable. I felt very cared for during each appointment and was able to ask any questions I have without feeling like I was a bother — as a first time mom, I had a lot of questions. It was surprising how much they remembered about us personally and felt like they really cared about each of their moms. Lori and Melanie served as a calm presence during my labor and delivery, and made any hiccups not seem like a big deal. Best of all, they helped bring our healthy baby boy into this world. I would have no hesitation coming back here and having a natural birth again.

If there were a million stars, I would rate them that!
I delivered my second at APM. From start to finish, it was fantastic. These women become your family and the birth center becomes a second home.
Usually at an OB appt. They have you waiting hours. Not at APM. They are prompt, treat you like a customer and spend as much time as you need during an appointment. They are very respectful and so knowledgable. It begins with Lora when you walk in. She sets this warm, welcoming tone that carries through the entire appt.
My first birth experience was in a hospital and doesn’t hold a candle to my delivery and experience at APM. They empower and educate you on a natural childbirth, they take the utmost care during your prenatal visits to ensure you are ready and qualified to do so.
The center is clean and warm and when it was my time to deliver. I felt like a celebrity. The kind of treatment I received. I would have never expected because I was used to a hospital experience. It was so personal and unforgettable. Lori and Melanie and Chloe had it all under control and made me feel like a rockstar. We welcomed a beautiful healthy boy and my recovery was so different this time. It was faster and I have way more energy. I thank APM for encouraging a natural approach so that my body could respond accordingly!!! Thank you for an experience I’ll never forget! Until next time

Ancient Paths was AMAZING! I went there when I was pregnant with my second child, and was able to have a successful VBAC with a 10lb 4oz baby! The prenatal visits were so nice, Lori was very helpful and caring; the office environment has a very homey feel to it, and my 2 year old was always excited to go play with the toys there :)
My birth experience was very long due to back labor, but it was so wonderful to be in such a beautiful relaxing environment. I was able to labor in the huge bathtub, relax in the bed, and walk the hallways with calming music and aromatherapy. I never would have been able to have this experience in a hospital, and I am so thankful for Lori! I HIGHLY recommend Lori to anyone looking for a natural birth experience. If we have any more kids I will definitely be back, I can’t even imagine giving birth anywhere else.

LOVE APM, Lori, Melanie, Annie, Celest, Lora, and Tanya.
Everyone at Ancient Paths works so hard for their mamas, babies and families.
When seeing medical providers, I often feel like just a number and like I need to be prepared to cover every angle to get good health care and service, but this is not the case with Ancient Paths Midwifery.
From the moment you come in the door (or call), Lora, the office manager, is kind, straightforward, and helpful. She helped us through the new experience of working with our insurance for an out of hospital birth (I honestly believed that an out of hospital birth was a fantasy for our limited budget but I am so thankful to have discovered otherwise), was always friendly and welcoming, and never made me feel bad for changed appointments or late arrival.
Lori and her staff (Melanie, Annie, and Celest) are incredibly caring and spend as much time as you need covering every angle of your health and birth experience. They help empower you while covering all the details of staying healthy and preparing you for a beautiful birth. They talked me through and helped me deal with gestational diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, a broken tailbone from a previous birth, and other pregnancy related issues. And then they were there for me in my birth like no hospital associated birth provider could be. (Plus the birthing suites are the stuff of pregnancy dreams, and although water birth may sound strange, I can now assure you it is far superior than the hospital room options… I have experienced both, but if water birth isn’t your thing, I at least recommend laboring in the water, it is a pain reliever extrordinaire)
Oh and guess what? Every birth package comes with massages from Tanya, a lovely (and well certified) massage therapist, who is INCREDIBLE!!! The prenatal massages are relaxing, mood lifting, and body comforting and the postnatal one I had last week felt SO healing to the aches and pains that a newborn and post pregnancy changes bring. I felt like my old self again and I always feel like a new woman when I leave. She offers daddy packages and individual massages too.
I would never choose to have another birth any other way after receiving care from Ancient Paths (and can’t imagine why anyone would want anything different). If you are even considering midwifery care schedule yourself for a Meet the Midwife tour, it is absolutely worth your time as you seek the best care for you and your family.
(I must include that the experience of the previous bad reviewer must have some serious details left out because I have never witnessed or experienced anything besides EXCELLENT care and service from every single person associated with APM)

Wish more women knew about their prenatal care & birthing options. More specifically, the possibility of having 60 min prenatal appointments where your emotional state, stress levels, physiological changes, nutrition, exercise/​physical activity levels can be discussed. It’s nice to be given the option of being involved in your care, instead of a passive recipient. Each time I go in, Lori has me collect my own urine, dip the strip in my own urine, and compare my results against the key, this way I know precisely what they are looking for in my urine. It’s also a relief to be able to weigh myself, and report my own weight. And it’s incredibly nice to be able to keep on your own clothing during exams, as opposed to being bare naked in a paper gown, with your body parts out on display.
Aside from all this Lori has great resources. She has an online e-​book you can read at your own pace. She has phenomenal referrals to chiropractors who specialize in treating pregnant women & babies, in the event you are experiencing back, hip, sciatic nerve, or other pregnancy related pains.
Most importantly, they are prompt & empathetic. I had a concern I was embarrassed to share, my husband contacted the birthing center on my behalf, and within 30 minutes I received a phone call & follow up email which put me to ease.
I am due in August, and each time I go to the birthing center I don’t want to leave. It’s always buzzing with positive energy, babies, happy parents, and energetic staff.

My wife and I chose Ancient Paths to have our first baby. We knew we wanted a natural birth and had heard good things about the center.
As first time parents I don’t think we could have asked for more from Lori and her staff. They were partners with us throughout the whole process. My wife works in the medical field so she had a fairly strong idea about how she wanted things to go. Lori worked with us on all our requests and gave us the room and advice to make informed decisions about the anything we were unsure of.
The actual center space is very comfortable and welcoming. It’s always spotless and much preferable to having to visit a doctors office or hospital for every prenatal visit.
We ended up choosing to have our baby at home and Lori was amazing. I can’t imagine having a baby without her now… and I wasn’t even the one giving birth!

I had two water births at APM and if I have more babies I hope to be able to have them with Lori and her wonderful staff. From the first time I talked to Lori on the phone I felt totally cared for. They are readily available to answer any questions and listen to any concerns. They answered all of our questions with great integrity and we never once felt rushed during our appointments. My children were loved and cared for, my husband was treated respectfully and encouraged to be a part of the whole process. We were always treated like family. Lori even made him a quesadilla while I was in labor with my second! We are truly blessed to have crossed paths with the women at APM and we thank the Lord for all of their hard work and dedication.
I tell all my pregnant friends to educate themselves on their birth options and ALWAYS recommend Lori and the women at APM.
I received numerous information on natural and better nutrition options, breastfeeding, labor and birth process, homeschooling, the list goes on and on. Our lives are better because of the education we received at APM. They have a wonderful lending library too!
We paid for all services because our insurance did not cover the costs. Our experience with APM was worth every penny. The care, the attention, the love you receive here is priceless. Give them a call and take a tour, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain!
OH!!! And the massages you receive as part of the birth package are ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! For an hour you forget that you are pregnant! You walk out of their feeling as light as a feather!

Had an amazing experience and birth here! I can’t imagine ever going anywhere else! Lori and her team became friends through the process and I’m so thankful for all that they did.
Lori is readily available to answer any questions via email or text and always put me at ease with concerns would arise during my pregnancy. She truly is a hard worker and strives to make each families birthing experience relaxing. I had other insurance that would be completely covered for a hospital birth but I chose to spend the extra money at ancient paths midwifery because of the one on one care I would get. Lori and her team rarely ever have you wait for your appointment and never push their opinion on you.
During my prenatal and now postnatal visits I have never felt any less important than the next mom they are seeing. I have always been treated respectfully and I believe my birth experience was as awesome as it was because of the women behind APM.

Exactly what I wanted and needed!
This is a very special place. When I got pregnant I knew I would go the natural route with either a birth center birth or a home birth. I also knew I needed to go with Lori. I met Lori a few years prior at an event at my medical school and had since visited the center out of personal interest. With every encounter I had with Lori, she showed me her passion and love for midwifery. She has a background in nursing and many many years of experience, making her someone I trust completely.
Pregnancy can be a scary journey, but it was made so much easier by putting my trust into someone I knew was 100% looking out for my health and my baby’s health… not to mention someone I bonded with and cared for.
Every month that passed by I felt taken care of by APM and knew that my birth would be very special. After every appointment I would walk away smiling and reassured that I made the right decision! When the time came for my baby girl’s birth (at home in March!) I didn’t know I’d be in labor for 29 hours, I didn’t know I could do what I did… but with Lori there as my support (and my husbands support!) we did it and we had the best experience I could have asked for.
Lori was patient, calm, professional, kind, and truly filled with love. We’ll be back for our second baby and would recommend APM to anyone wanting a home/​birth center birth. My baby’s 3 months now and I find myself reminiscing about that intense morning when she arrived and I truly cannot express how thankful I am I went with APM and how lucky we are that Lori is a part of our lives now!

Wonderful, beautiful, amazing experience!!!
My wife and I (first-​time parents) were looking for/​interviewing birthing centers in the Los Angeles area and APM one of several we visited and interviewed. We bonded with Lori and her team, as well as the center and never looked back.
Lori is kind, patient and thorough, she made us feel like we were her only patients throughout the entire process. We took the Hypno-​Birthing class with several other couples and everyone had a chance to engage and ask as many questions as we could think of.
My wife signed up for massage therapy on-​site. She loved the special attention she received from the therapist.
The day our little one arrived, we felt relaxed, comfortable (as much as possible while in labor) and all of our needs were met.
The entire staff at APM is wonderful, supportive and caring. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending APM for a water birth.
As a new dad, nothing can compare to catching your newborn in a tub of water and watching your baby take their first breath. Truly an experience I will never forget.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. we will see you again for the next baby.

I’m here to share the horrible experience that Lori and Lora gave me when I came here for services. I am well aware that this will be the first negative review they have here on Unilocal and I hope that by me speaking out, ALL the other mommas out there who have been horribly wronged by these women will gather up their courage and put in their time to step forward and share their experience as well so that other mommas don’t have go through what we went through. Believe me, I’m not alone — I’m just the first to post about it on this venue. The only reason why I’m posting this in my desire that other mommas out there be spared. To all the mommas out there that had a good/​great experience here — I’m very glad! Every momma deserves the best they can get! But it needs to be said that these women, although fully capable of giving mommas a wonderful birth story, DO sometimes choose to do just the opposite and be cruel about it too.
In February 2014, I got a call out of the blue from Lora, their office manager, telling me that they will no longer be providing me service (I was due in April). She couldn’t give me a reason why and said they will send me a letter detailing their decision and I can expect that in the mail. I still wanted a natural birth so I thought well, if they won’t do it, I can find another birth center or midwife who will? But that hope was crushed when Lora clarified to me that, No — not only will they NOT provide me service, but it would be against the law for ANY midwife to provide me service so I have no choice but to have a hospital birth. Now I’m upset and I want to know how exactly did they come up to this conclusion because I have been in the care of an OBGYN/​Massage Therapist/​Chiropractor and I have passed all health tests/​screenings and been cleared for a vaginal birth. So when all the actual Medical Professionals have cleared me and I was in no shape or form «High Risk» — how exactly did Lori, who had never even spoken to me outside the initial Meet the Midwives Tour, make this determination? I was told to wait for the letter.
They tell me this in Feb and I was expecting in April. They absolutely crushed all my hopes for a natural childbirth experience without giving me any options or reason why — only stating that I was «High Risk». When I got the letter a couple of weeks later, it was actually a bit of a relief. I had been racked with so much doubt and agony over what the letter would say, but once I read it, I saw I had absolutely nothing to worry about. It was filled with utter nonsense and lies. It was almost laughable if it weren’t so sad. For example, I ride my horse a couple of times a week throughout my pregnancy but they twisted it to… and I quote — «Engagement in High Risk Activities during pregnancy: Your continuation to horseback ride daily at racing speeds could place your pregnancy in a high risk situation.». Believe me, I was not riding daily, nor was it at «racing speeds». I had missed meals here and there (I’ve never been good at eating 3 meals a day — although you wouldn’t be able to tell since I’m definitely not skinny!!), but to them it was «When we reviewed your nutrition history and habits we found indicators which required risk assessment from a physician.» There were several other flat out lies in the letter. I never got to talk to Lori directly even though I requested it and thought I deserved at least that.
My complaint is — if for whatever reason you don’t like me or want to provide service to me — then just say so and move on. Don’t make up lies. Don’t lie and say I’m high risk. Don’t lie and say it is illegal for any other midwife to provide me care. Don’t have your office manager call with no details and then make me wait 2 weeks for a letter filled with lies. Don’t hide behind your office manager and not even have the decency to have a conversation with me. This should have been so easy yet they turned it into me getting utterly crushed and betrayed.
It’s now May and I ended up having an excellent birth experience at my local hospital with a lovely midwife by my side. In this time, I have met other women who have been horribly wronged by Lori/​Lora at APM. There are enough of us that we can actually start a support group for all the women wronged by them. Why don’t we all speak out more? Probably the same reason mommas never complain to the world about all the horrors/​miseries/​pains we go through as mommas. We tend to just suck it up and keep quiet… especially when Lori makes certain it’s not good enough to just deny you, she will crush you and make it personal — she will squash you down as much as she can so you don’t have the courage/​desire to speak up or fight back. She makes you feel that you are the failure… and that is the ultimate sin. Women should stick together to love and support each other, I have no tolerance for bullies.
If anyone wants any other details or support — feel free to contact me.

Could not have asked for a more amazing birth experience. The midwives and staff are extremely caring and knowledgeable. My hospital experience pales in comparison to the birthing center. I hands down recommend all birthing mamas use APM!

I can’t say enough about Lori, Melanie, Lora, & Tanya! I had the most wonderful experience with these amazing ladies who provide the most competent and compassionate care to expecting mamas. The birth center is beautiful and homey at the same time. There is an extensive lending library of books and DVDs on everything from conception to breastfeeding. Care is focused on keeping mama and baby as healthy as possible to keep the pregnancy low risk. I was astounded at how much I learned this time around and this was my 4^th pregnancy. APM has an amazing website with so much info, I was blown away by how much knowledge Lori has and how well she presents it for pregnant mamas. She is like an OB, pediatrician and your mom all rolled into one. Birth packages include soothing and relaxing massages from Tanya, and care all the way through to 6 weeks postpartum, including breastfeeding help and baby’s check ups. I don’t have the words to describe how wonderful my birth experience was, and I can’t thank APM enough for facilitating my wishes into this experience for me. I highly recommend Ancient Paths Midwifery, on a scale of 1 to 5 the care here is a 10!

Well, were do I start?
Meet the Midwife…
We attended a meet the midwife meeting with Midwife Laurie as she introduced us to the Birthing Center. She answered all of the questions we all had and then it was over.
Now comes the review…
My wife Ali and myself had stayed after to get further information about APM, my wife felt so comfortable and loved the energy that the Midwife Laurie had, she felt safe and secure with our child. From this point on everyone at APM has been amazing! This is our first baby and we both knew we wanted to have our family delivered the way that it should be done.
Dads, this is for you…
APM takes care of your expecting wife beyond your expectations. My wife was always happy when it came time to go in for a checkup, you get in and you get out, there is very minimal waiting, and the waiting area is VERY comfortable even though I suggest getting involved. Your wires appointments are pre booked after every checkup.
They are even more up to date than any medical facility I have been to. They have online books for you to read and they provide you with a login in order to keep the privacy. They also have books there at the center for you to read while you are there or you could check them out. All the staff is very open and helpful with any questions or concerns you might have.
As most of the dads will agree with me, we do not know our place during a birth or what to do when our wife starts her contractions. I actually felt empowered and felt like I knew what to do when my wife started her path to going into labor. I knew the times to count in between contractions that would allow us to know when it became time to go to the birthing center. I called Cherish which is now also a Certified Midwife just as Laurie. She was there at 3am on the other end of the phone and beyond helpful. (Thanks Cherish!)
This whole experience is something that I cannot put into words, they gave us the birth that we had been dreaming of and that we didn’t think was possible since so much has changed and having the choice to go through a midwife is frowned upon by many. APM Empowers you in all aspects of having a baby so that you are prepared and know what to say when you a asked «Why?».
We continue to support all the efforts that APM makes to bring the dream birth to everyone and we will have our next child without a doubt at APM.
I want to thank all the staff and members of APM that work hard without a break sometimes to make everyones birth happen without a hitch. Your outstanding professionalism and dedicated ethics to be Midwifes has surpassed all of our expectations. We love you all and not just because you delivered our child but because you gave us the power and knowledge to feel confident as parents and human beings to have the ability to make giving light an experience instead of a task and for this my wife and I cannot ever thank you enough!
10 STARS!
P. S. Take the Hypno Birthing Class!

So glad we chose to give birth here. My wife and I had been seeing an OB and then had a really bad discussion with our OB about birthing options. When we found out that neither she or the hospital would be very accommodating to our wishes we decided to look around.
We took a tour of the birth center and I wasn’t expecting much based on the website, but being there was a completely different story. This place has a very warm, welcoming feel and Lori was, as usual, super friendly and answered every one of our questions completely and with a sensed understanding of what we were going through. My wife and I had pretty much decided by the time we got back to the car that we couldn’t see delivering anywhere else.
Prenatal care was top notch. It was like night and day compared to the appointments we had had at the OB, and my wife was extremely happy with the care she was receiving. Appointments went from being something dreaded and disappointing to an outing we actually looked forward to.
Then the big day came and my wife went REALLY fast! So fast that we had a hair-​raising car trip from Temecula to Chino that could have very well ended with our baby being born in the car. We arrived just in time and Lori checked my wife and said that she was ready to push. The delivery went well. Once again I cannot say enough about how knowledgeable, up-​beat, and professional Lori was during this process. With her delivering and Tanya helping out I felt like we had the «dream team».
If we decide to have more children there isn’t a doubt that we’ll be going back to Ancient Paths. They are the best at what they do.

APM was the best choice we could have ever made to help deliver our baby. I had a beyond wounderful experience here at the center. The staff is amazing, caring, professional, and much more. My husband and I knew from the begining that we didn’t want a hospital birth (I was scared from hearing my own friends horror stories) so we started looking for other options and came across APM and decided to do a meet the midwife. I fell in love we signed up immediately to have our baby at the center. Prenatal visits were great, they give you the infomation you need but have the choices of what you want and think is best for you and your baby. There are no long waits for your appointments, the time they tell you is the time you get seen. The birth experience was the best part I think, I had a water birth at the center, and it was beautiful. Lauri and Cherish coached me through the toughest moments. I also felt like my husband was included in the whole process, which was really important to me. I plan on coming back when we decide to have another baby in the future.

5 stars aren’t enough for APM! In the words of my husband, «On a scale of 1 to 5, they are a 5.5!». Their professionalism and skill were amazing. Like an artist or athlete who through their talent make their craft look effortless, Lori and Jennifer make a very complex care process look simple. This is not to downplay their talent, they are truly skilled. Furthermore you can tell this is not a job or even a career of theirs, it is their calling.
As background, I had a great first birth at St. Jude, mostly because I labored at home, and after being disillusioned by long prenatal waits for my second birth and detached «care» at my OB’s, I began to look for alternatives. That’s when I found APM. Lori, Jennifer and team are great. Lori is not only a skilled midwife, she knows how to run a business! Her model of care is one that spoke to my heart.
My brother in law asked if a second birth is easier. I told him, the mere fact that I didn’t have to enter a hospital and be defensive, have to assert my patient rights to natural birth naysayers and that I had partners with whom I’d established trust and respect, meant that my birth was going to be in a safe and warm environment that would facilitate ease, despite the obvious pain.
Other staff such as Tanya, massage therapist, and midwife apprentices are equally as skilled and a delight. Though we think we are done having children, I would gladly do it again if it meant I could rely on the talents of these women! How’s that for repeat business??!

I truly don’t know how to start explaining what an amazing experience we had with Ancient Paths Midwifery and I’m sorry if it ends up long winded. We recently had our second child and had planned a home birth across the country. Due to an unexpected emergency, I ended up in California in my third trimester and I thought there was no way I’d be able to have the birth I had envisioned, especially after struggling to find a midwifery in the area. That is until I found Ancient Paths Midwifery and spoke with Lori. She brought such an amazing relief to the anxiety surrounding our upcoming birth before I even met her in person! Then, to make me feel even better about the entire situation, the billing company she works with worked with my insurance to get my care with them covered! (This may not be the case with all insurances, it’s my understanding that ours was approved due to extreme circumstances)
Once I went to the Birth Center, I knew it was the perfect place to bring our child into the world. It was warm, inviting, and felt so safe and secure. Lori, Jennifer, and a few of their midwives-​in-​training spent at least an hour with me at each appointment to really see how I was feeling and make sure I was doing ok. Tanya took my stress away through the massages. I really felt myself relax and knew that, throughout everything, my baby was getting the best possible care during an extremely stressful time. Lori even had a ramp built so that my husband, who needed to use a wheelchair after a recent accident, wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not he would be able to physically get in and out of the house. I think my only regret was that I couldn’t spend more time in the comfort of that space since i had a fast labor and delivery and was able to go home after only a few short hours. You really feel like you’re apart of a family there, they even made sure that I was eating and drinking afterward and that I was comfortable to leave when it was time.
Any woman would be lucky to have the care of these amazing women while going through these life changing times. They trusted me and my body to do what it needed to do to best birth my baby and simply remained a calming safety net nearby. I was able to birth our beautiful baby girl in one of their birthing tubs, with my husband next to me, and I was so happy that Cherish (one of their midwife-​trainees) was able to help catch her and do her newborn checkup. I have had a hospital birth with a midwife (a normal, natural birth) and I can say from first hand experience that this experience was 100x better.

Yes, I am a man reviewing a birth center :) My wife gave birth here in July. As a husband and father I was really afraid that I would not be a part of the birth. This birth center made me feel extremely important and involved. Super respectful and courteous staff. We felt like family. All of our appointments have made us feel warm and comfortable. They are never on an overlapping schedule, they do not overbook appointments. After the important logistics are discussed we were ENCOURAGED to ask all sorts of questions. We discussed diet alterations versus medications, and they even let us check out books from their private library (they have an AWESOME selection).
The home atmosphere provides comfort and privacy. They have two rooms downstairs that accommodate water births (we did that!) and even a «back up» room upstairs (for the RARE case that three people give birth at the same time). This facility also has a women who, through her own company, gives prenatal massages. My wife says they are WONDERFUL.
Final thought: Natural births sound extremely scary. We (mainly my wife) researched a TON! Read books, watched documentaries, called different birth centers, etc. However, all the information we uncovered pointed us in this directions. We could not have been happier. No nurses or doctors to rush us, or make us feel uninvolved in our own birth. If the Lord blesses us with more children, we will definitely have them here. All natural! If you have any questions, please drop me a line and I can put you in contact with my wife. Or call the birth center! :)