Georgia moved to Springfield in 2022 when she was pregnant with her first child. She had received birth center care in McMinnville and knew she wanted to continue her prenatal care with midwives in a birth center setting. Our Community Birth Center was just what Georgia was looking for. “It was super homey,” Georgia recalls of her first impressions of the birth center. “AlexAnn was really professional, and she answered a ton of questions for me.” 
Ultimately, Georgia needed to give birth in the hospital because baby Margot was breech (head up). “Even when I transferred care to the hospital, AlexAnn and the team were there for me every step of the way, helping me through the experience and providing above and beyond care for me and my baby during a hard several weeks post-surgery.”
Georgia had some challenges nursing Margot, but was able to receive additional lactation support during Baby Clinic at the birth center on Mondays and from one-on-one consultations with the birth center team. “It was a huge part of my postpartum time,” says Georgia. “Those weekly check-ins were incredible.”
When Georgia became pregnant again in 2024, her hopes were to have a successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). “AlexAnn and Zoe patiently answered all of my questions and helped me as I navigated whether to attempt a VBAC at the birth center or at the hospital.” Georgia appreciated that “They didn’t treat me like a disaster waiting to happen.” 
On February 13, Georgia’s water broke in the early evening. Georgia labored mostly at home, then in the birth tub at the birth center. Reflecting, Georgia was grateful for the space she was given to labor naturally with the support of her doula, Rosemary, and midwife, Zoe. “Zoe was there as a comforting, grounding presence,” says Georgia.
By around 3 am, Benjamin was born at Our Community Birth Center.
Because of her nursing challenges with Margot, the birth center team was proactive in making sure that Georgia had the support she needed to be successful with Benjamin. “The feeling of peace I had with my second birth was incredible,” says Georgia. “Knowing that I did it, I got my VBAC and Benjamin was nursing well—that to me was so huge.”
“When I talk to my friends about giving birth at a birth center, one of their main concerns is ‘What if I can’t do it?’ To them I say, ‘You are stronger than you think.’ If you value having a personal relationship with your health care provider and value them knowing what you want and who you are, and trust that they will make the best decision for you and your baby, I say go for it. I highly recommend Our Community Birth Center if you are seeking a safe and empowered birth.”