In this episode of Taking Back Birth, I talk about the truth about birth centers. Listen in! This episode also has a podcast transcription. Click 
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We are mamas and midwives who decided to do birth differently– and bring others along with us. We are radical, fun to work with, and great at (lovingly) calling people on their bullshit to help move us all towards a new more beautiful world. With 12 children and over two decades of midwifery between us, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way, and Indie Birth is our space to share it all with you.
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Hi – I totally understand and get your points here but find myself in an interesting space and would like to think there are other women out there like me. We are on MA through the state and a homebirth will not be covered by it. So, we are opting for a birth center birth. A lot of the decision making process IS about money because we do not have much of it. How do you contend with this? I also have been thinking a lot about how I really feel like I am a mentally and emotionally resilient person – how can I best set myself up for a birth center birth taking the tenants of a homebirth with me. I feel like I CAN do that. I CAN tell people not to touch me or leave me alone, I CAN go inward and connect, I CAN & WILL have a physiological birth. I am still an autonomous person and hold the responsibility of my own decisions just because I am birthing in a birth center and not at home. Hmmmm – just has me thinking a lot. I feel like this podcast falls short in some way. Again, I totally respect your opinion but in some ways I feel like you are shortchanging women who have to for some reason or another make a decision that maybe doesn’t feel like the one truest in her heart but can still be in control and make it a positive experience. I don’t know, maybe not?
Hi Liz! Thanks for your thoughts. Hmm…can one truly serve their heart and the regulations of the state (whether that’s birth center or home birth, or even as a licensed midwife)? I would say probably not; because the institutions of medical birth do not have our interest at heart, and a birth center is right along with them. How *can* you insist on things, protocol, timing that does not jive with their rules and regs? You can’t, most likely, because they will put their licenses before your autonomy. I admire the strength and passion and that you sound like you really know what you want! That’s awesome. Perhaps an amazing traditional midwife who barters or offers a sliding scale (like I do, here!) will appear for you and you won’t have to “have to” make a choice that does not resonate with your Truth. Blessings, Maryn