Amidst the landscape of U.S. birth centers, a stark reality emerges. Approximately only 20 out of about 400 U.S. birth centers are led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, according to Non-Profit Quartely. This results in disproportionately limited access for Black birthing individuals, midwives and health centers. This lack of representation in maternal healthcare causes disparities and further marginalizes Black birthing individuals.
Fortunately, efforts are being made to address this issue. Travel Noire has curated a list of some of Black-owned birth centers in the U.S.
San Diego Community Birth Center – San Diego, California
Founded by Nicky Helms, the San Diego Community Birth Center has come a long way since it opened its doors in October 2020. Nikki worked as a home birth midwife for years but dreamed of opening her own birth center. The financing for the Birth Center was initiated through grassroots efforts.
A GoFundMe campaign was established in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, and, with the collective support of the San Diego birth community on various social media platforms, Nikki successfully garnered $100K within a few weeks.
Baby Catchers Birth Center – Lafayette, Louisiana
Baby Catcher Birth Center opened its doors in 2021 and became the first Black-owned freestanding birth center in the state. Owned by Lafayette native, Shatamia Webb, she’s on a mission to help all future parents not only feel more confident when it comes to delivering their bundle of joy but also informed about the options they have when it comes time to do so.
Staff at the center will provide insights for mothers on topics that include breastfeeding education, nutrition, labor support, and more. Plus, she says that mothers will be seen throughout their whole pregnancy along with check-ins during prenatal and postpartum periods. The benefits of the center include more individualized care along with a different approach when it comes to giving birth.
San Antonio Nurse Midwife Birth & Wellness Center – San Antonio, Texas
The San Antonio Nurse Midwife Birth and Wellness Center opened in 2019 and is owned by Nikki McIver-Brown. This Black-owned birth center aims to improve the experience for Black birthing people. San Antonio Nurse Midwife, provides holistic healthcare, home birth & water birth, as well as a beautiful home-like birth center.
“I believe the miracle of birth is a normal natural process and every person has the right to choose where and how they give birth. My goal is to assist you with your transition into new parenthood,” Nikki states on San Antonio Nurse Midwife’s website.
Kindred Space LA – Los Angeles, California
Established in 2020, the Kindred Space LA Birthing Center resulted from the collaborative efforts of Kimberly Durdin and Allegra Hill. With Allegra as an aspiring midwife and volunteer and Kimberly as the director of lactation and childbirth education, their immediate connection developed into a deep sisterhood rooted in mutual support for each other and their clients.
Their journey led to the establishment of Kindred Space LA in 2018, a response to the black maternity health crisis. The subsequent creation of the Kindred Space LA Birthing Center in 2020 marked a significant milestone in their collective efforts.