If Big Midwifery were a thing, it'd be Alma. One of our midwife-assistants left the company a couple months into my pregnancy, and when I asked her why, she said, "I just want a more personal experience with mothers," and at the time I didn't get it, but then I had my traumatic birth experience, forced into a hospital even though my pregnancy was advancing ideally, and I kind of got it. And I've sat on this for a couple years but am now compelled to share because my friend has now been also forced into a hospital birth even though her labor was advancing ideally, and now I'm just mad. They seem to have the same "easy button" policy as most hospitals do, and in general that's not why we go seeking out midwives. Alma is corporate midwifery, shoving people through the very gauntlet we have left mainstream medical childbirth to avoid. At the end of it, the individual midwives are lovely--I'm still friends with my midwife to this day--but the company itself treats birthing mothers as the exact same commodity that traditional western hospitals do. If I had it to do again, I would have followed that midwife-assistant to a more personal experience. read more

I'm so incredibly grateful for Alma and the amazing team that helped us every step of the way. The moment I found out I was pregnant with our first child my number one stress was "where am I going to have this baby?!" I've had bad experiences with hospitals and almost always feel like I'm not being heard as a patient. This is such a HUGE life chapter to go through I really didn't want to be surrounded by strangers making me feel like my voice didn't matter and that birth was some sort of major medical procedure rather than a natural life event. In steps... Alma! Someone had mentioned them to me so my husband and I went and met with Laura who walked us through what a pregnancy and birth with Alma would entail. Wow! It was so refreshing to feel so comfortable and at home in a clinical setting. From day one they made me feel welcome and heard. Another huge blessing about Alma was that from our first appointment they were upfront about what the total cost of having our baby at the birth center would be (permitting there were no complications). I cannot tell you how incredibly refreshing it was to know an amount ahead of time so that we could budget and be prepared. Our baby was born healthy with no issues and I can tell you the price we paid is exactly what they quoted us nine months earlier. What I also loved and appreciated, was for all our check up appointments before our baby arrived we saw one of two midwives and an assistant midwife. And so we knew when our baby came it would be one of those two who would be helping us deliver. It meant so much to me to have grown a relationship of trust and kindness with these women before hand. It made going into labor so much more peaceful and not stressful knowing that I knew and liked the team that was helping me. The birthing suites are just the perfect balance of a medical and home setting. So many people had no idea what I meant when I said we were having our baby had a birth center. So I just told them it's not as cold as a hospital, but it's more medical than a home. It was so inviting and will always hold a special place in my heart. There's so much more I could say, but these are the biggest things of why I am so grateful for Alma and why I can say with confidence...this is where will have all our future children. read more

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We had an absolutely incredible experience with Alma and midwives Laura & Janelle. I always felt heard. I felt safe. I felt like myself & baby were in the best hands. Laura & Janelle are passionate about what they do and you can feel their love and devotion through their care, every step of the way. Janelle felt like an old friend who I could be open and honest with and Laura wowed me with her depth of knowledge and gestures such as giving me a back massage at the end of one appointment and holding me/hugging me after birth to give me time to "get back into my own body". They understand that birth care is about so much more than the physical stuff - it's about mental and emotional well being too. Don't hesitate. Have your baby here if you want to feel empowered and supported, during pregnancy, labor and after. read more

Alma Midwifery - Tile on the entry desk - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Birthing in the midst of a pandemic is not an easy thing but choosing to transfer my care, late in the game, to Alma was the BEST choice I could have made! The midwives and apprentices were all amazing and made me feel confident and empowered to follow my body during labor. The birth center is gorgeous and the energy in my birth room (Fern room) was calm and serene. When I arrived in active labor, the bath was being drawn and candles were lit around the room creating the most peaceful atmosphere. The bathtubs are the most amazing things ever! As soon as I got in, I melted into labor and things progressed quite quickly from there! I'm still trying to figure out how to get one of those tubs in my home! The postpartum visits in my home were so nice and they really took the time to make me feel nurtured and answer any ridiculous question I might have. I cannot sing their praises loud enough! If you are on the fence, I highly recommend having your baby here! read more

Alma Midwifery - Leaving the birth center! - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I am so glad to have received care from Alma. This is my second delivery with Alma and for those looking for an out of hospital, birthing person-centered experience, I couldn't recommend Alma more. The most significant element of my experience was my felt-sense of being supported throughout my labor and delivery. Prior to having my second baby I had a miscarriage. Even though I hadn't established care with anyone I reached out to Laura at Alma because I wasn't sure what was happening and she walked me through it both physically and emotionally. She called me twice a day to check on me. That support was invaluable during such a difficult experience and she received NOTHING in exchange. Additionally, during my second pregnancy, I contracted COVID during the final weeks. I felt so cared for as the team of midwives checked on me and my family daily. They were attuned to my fears and frustrations and supported me so well. They also were very clear about our plan of care, thresholds for needing to change our home birth plan, and monitoring my overall health and the health of the baby. As I've processed my actual birth experiences the story I tell is being surrounded by strong women supporting me through my process. I am so grateful for that. Are there things you don't have access to in going to Alma? Sure! It's a smaller outfit than a hospital and isn't staffed like a hospital. But if you go in with your eyes wide open about that, what I believe you will find is unsurpassed support. Worth it! read more

If you choose to work with them, be prepared to have confusing billing without transparency and bad communication.

I gave birth naturally. Thank you Alma. I talked about he experience with my hubby and we both agreed that if I was at the hospital, I would have been induced. =P Midwifery care is diff than the Western med model. Baby had complications, and they visited my home everyday for the first 7 days after birth to check on the baby and dev plans for treatment. What a lifesaver. I dont know how I would have driven (my hubby was working) if i had to see a pediatrician. This is not normal, but what is normal is a day 1,3, and 7 home visit. Home visit!! So nice for sleep deprived me! 1 hour office visits? No long waits to see midwife? (waiting room is tiny, because noone is really waiting long to see their practioner) So nice, great people. Very professional, and supportive, for your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Moms come by to see thier midwives with their growing babies. Even comes with free breastfeeding class, and postpartum massage. I loved it. read more

Choosing Alma as our birthing center was definitely one of the best decisions we have ever made. The genuine compassion in every bit of care we received was so overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming. The professionals at this birthing center are always multiple steps ahead - providing nurturing care in ways you didn't even know you needed it. The intimacy and personalization for our prenatal care was above and beyond anything we ever expected. The support during the birth was absolutely amazing. Their years of experience shine so bright in those tough moments. Ready for anything at any moment with a calming hand and some empowering words of encouragement. With Alma, you have so many options. You can customize your care and tailor their involvement just about any way you could imagine. In addition to our prenatal care, we chose to deliver at the birthing center which is a gorgeous two story craftsman home customized with several artfully crafted birthing spaces. We stayed two nights in the beautiful lily room where we were cared for by a team of incredible doulas and midwives who fed and pampered us around the clock. We were treated like family every step of the way. I could not imagine going anywhere else for something so important. I can't possibly thank them enough for the experience they provided. read more

Alma Midwifery - Little Felix's first bath!!! - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place changed my family's life. Our team was comprised of Katherine, Melissa, Bree, and Liz. They were all incredibly warm, available, intuitive, personable, smart, supportive...I could go on and on. During the actual birth experience they were beyond helpful and perfect. They gave suggestions for positions and breathing and soothing things to do (the tub, the shower, the birth stool), and always supported my choice and respected my process. The facilities are awesome - after I went into labor we arrived to the birth room with the tub full, the candles lit, dim lights. It was ideal. The aftercare was also fabulous - a cozy place to stay where we were monitored and pampered, followed by several home visits for the baby and me. My husband and I were so sad when the whole thing was over. These women became a part of us, we fell in love with them. They're not just incredible midwives, they're an extension of our family. read more

After I submitted my review they didn't contact me but wrote me a check for barely 10% of what I was owed. Horrible that they prey on women this way. read more

I'm so grateful for the care my family received at Alma. My husband and I toured two birth centers and decided on Alma, where we received prenatal care. All of our visits were amazing- we had plenty of time for all of our questions to be answered, and the midwives made sure that we understood everything that was happening or coming up in our pregnancy. We never felt rushed or like we were a bother- we were cared for and listened to throughout the whole process. Unfortunately, we had to transfer care at 36 weeks to a traditional OB/GYN to prepare for a medically necessary hospital birth. I think one of the concerns people have with midwifery care is, "What if something goes wrong?". In our case, the system worked exactly as it should. When I noticed something out of the ordinary, our midwives (especially the amazing Joni!) made time for us to get checked out same day. Just to be safe, we were referred to get an ultrasound from a specialist, and they recommended that we transfer care to prepare for a medically necessary hospital delivery. Thanks to the diligence of our midwives, we discovered that we did have a more complicated situation than we were expecting, and we were able to transfer care appropriately. Throughout the whole process, our midwives at Alma have been so kind, so compassionate, and so capable that we are sorry to leave them. During our last appointment, they gave us guidance on how to move forward from here, and advice on how to have the birth that we want in a hospital. When and if our family grows again, I'm sure that we'll return to Alma. Their compassionate care has been so awesome for us as we're expanding our family for the first time. read more

After two difficult and emotionally trying hospital births, I decided that with our third child I would give birth in the comfort of my own home. My husband was nervous but upon meeting our team of Alma midwives and talking through their approach to birth and safety, he was totally won over and felt 100% comfortable and confident in our journey to a home birth. As birth approached, I enjoyed my prenatal care in their beautiful office. I always joked with my husband that my prenatal appointments were like a combination of a trip to the spa and a really friendly therapy session. My midwives offered me tea and massages, as well as joyful conversation that ranged far and wide, they assuaged my fears, talked me through my periods of prenatal depression, and ensured I had access to any addition support and resources I needed all while monitoring mine and my babies health. When the day of birth was rapidly approaching, one of my biggest fears was having another long labor, I was in labor with my second child for 42 hrs and by the end I was exhausted and mournful that I wasn't more present for the experience of the birth because of my exhaustion. My husband had his own fears, in the hospital he had felt "kicked around" and pushed to the side as nurses and doctors really took control of the room and did not make space for him to support me or be active part of the birth. We discussed these concerns with our midwives and the assured us that they would help us with suggestions for speeding up labor, and would give my husband the space and support to be really present and take an active part in the birth. When labor started, my midwives were 100% available for me. Knowing that I didn't need to go anywhere, that I was waiting for nothing and was safe in my own peaceful home, my labor seemed to be progressing quickly. Still, 6 hours in I was not as far in as I'd hoped and Midwife Joni made some suggestions on natural ways I might try to speed things up. Well, less than thirty minutes from trying her suggestion, my baby was in my arms. During the birth I felt like the master of my own space and birth and my husband felt free to be really vulnerable as he provided me support and love. He is not comfortable with showing huge amounts of affection and intimacy in front of others, but he felt totally unimpeded in doing so in front of our midwives. During the birth they were quiet and reverent, never overbearing, and brought a calm and confident energy to the room that my husband and I could take comfort in and build on. It was a really beautiful experience. I can never express enough how beautiful a birth experience we had with our Alma midwives and I wholeheartedly encourage you to gift yourself the life long peace and beauty of an Alma-supported birth. read more

Alma Midwifery - Somehow our midwives has the presence of mind to snap this beautiful photo that I will treasure forever - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We had the most amazing experience with Alma. All of the midwives were so caring and made each appointment feel special. They never made us feel rushed, and you can tell they really care about their clients. My birth was exactly what I wanted, and the team of midwives that were there did a great job at making me feel comfortable. After the birth of my son they helped us get cozy in bed so we could sleep. when we woke up they ordered us food and served us in bed. I gave birth at 5am and we were home by 2:30pm. It was so nice to get discharged the same day. Sleeping In our own beds that night felt amazing. I highly recommend this birth center to all pregnant people. read more

I am so happy that I chose Alma for my first birth. I wanted my pregnancy and birth be treated as beautiful, natural processes that don't require a lot of intervention, and I got just that. All the midwives were personable, caring, and attentive all throughout my pregnancy. My birth was absolutely wonderful and I wouldn't have it any other way. The postpartum care was even better. Both my husband and I loved our whole Alma experience from the beginning to end. We also loved that they were pretty flexible with billing and worked with us and our circumstances, so I never felt burdened. Thank you, Alma! read more

I had my first son here, and it was a beautiful experience. However, the billing for that birth was a disaster- we were billed incorrectly and it took forever to sort it out. I started the care for my second child here, but moved when I learned that their model of care had changed drastically. Clients no longer see the same midwives each time- you get what you get on the day of your birth as well. The experienced midwives that attended my first birth had all moved on, leaving very new midwives and apprentices in their place. Even the front desk did not seem to know what was going on at my initial appointments. I transferred my care, and I'm so glad I did. A year later, I received a bill- too late to submit to insurance. This place seems to be running on fumes..... read more

If you value your life and the life of your baby, do not go here. They will put you in mortal danger due to their incompetence. Every single one of the midwives confirmed our child was positioned correctly for a natural birth, including Laura. Not only by feel, but they even did an ultra sound a month before. Apparently they are so bad they can't even read an ultra sound properly. So having this assurance it was quite a surprise when Dr. Vinson, after having just completed the emergency c-section surgery necessary to save the life of my wife and child, told us that our little one had always been Frank's breech, and had never turned. The midwives failed at their most important job. Determining the position of the baby in order to plan properly for delivery. Their failure put my wife and my childs life at terrible risk, traumatized my family beyond all reason, and it was only through the miracle of Dr. Vinson's amazing skills am I able to hug my wife and kiss my child today. Ask them yourself why they changed their policy to always perform an ultra sound upon onset of labor now. They changed it because they nearly killed my family. This is a warning. Do not go here. I beg you. read more

Alma Midwifery - Providence Hospital Emergency Entrance - Laura assured us it was a "Non" Emergency c-section. - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Deciding on how and where to give birth are some of the most important decisions would-be parents will ever make. Although many don't give the process a second-thought, my wife knew for as long as she could remember that she wanted a "natural" birth. When the time came to choose a venue or space, we found ourselves in a bit of a challenging position. After all, few decisions are of such consequence. It is quite the personal choice, and everyone will have their own particularities and concerns. A number of factors went into why we chose Alma. For one, it is close to us, there were a number of very positive, great reviews and finally, the tour we took with them left an imprint on us and made us very comfortable with them. For us, it meant being comfortable with the services and venue both, since we'd be using the facility there as a birth center, rather than hosting a home birth. When the big day arrived, our midwives were certainly up to the task. They had given us instructions throughout the night and in the morning, one arrived to council us for another hour or so until we drove the mile or so to the birth center on Ankeny. Reaching the birth center, things went pretty smoothly. The biggest hiccup really was the absence of nitrous. She was always adament that she did not want to use major pain killers during labor. During various consultations with midwives at Alma, we discussed the presence of nitrous and agreed (were convinced, really) that we wanted it there, that it would be a welcome sight and a near-necessary measure should the pain or anxiety of the situation prove difficult to bear. It wasn't until that actual scenario nearly materialized that they informed us that they did not have any nitrous on site. She was in the middle of labor. At a peak in pain and passage. Consequently, we were not happy and profanities ensued. Of course, things settled down as time marched on. Our little girl was born late in the afternoon so we had plenty of time to stretch our legs out, relax, and bond with the new addition to the family. For hours, and pretty much all night long, we could hear noise from the nearby kitchen. Regrettable, and perhaps unavoidable we thought. At one point, someone offered my wife a massage to make up for the nitrous situation. "Of course!", she thought. They ended up bringing her upstairs to a massage table for about 40 minutes. She had only given birth a couple of hours previous to this, so being separated like that eventually made her upset and she deeply regretted accepting the massage. She had assumed, wrongly, that the massage table would be set-up inside the room. Other than this, things went swimmingly. It was very nice of them to provide meals, and meant we could focus on what was most important in the moment. In the end, we were in labor a total of ~14 hours though only about 4 hours of that was spent at Alma. They provided an excellent, personal, customized experience that we would never regret patronizing. It was expensive but it's difficult when it comes to services like this, and when your insurance won't cover the category. We would recommend Alma to other potential parents, especially first-time parents as we were. read more

I would encourage anyone considering alma to throughly research all options. Initially I was drawn in by their beautiful birth center and the seemingly laid back atmosphere, but I ended up switching my care at 35 weeks for the following reasons: 1. disorganization. Staff submitted labs/ultrasound referrals with an incorrect DOB for me on multiple occasions. I'm still trying to sort out insurance/billing for my initial labs because of this. 2. impersonal care. It often seemed as though staff had not read my chart at all, and in one instance were actually reading someone else's chart. I have an anaphylactic allergy to a common ingredient in homeopathic care products, but would often be recommended it regardless. Not super reassuring. 3. tired staff. my final push to leave alma was that my last two appointments were.. exactly the same. Same person, same information given verbatim as though she had no memory of our last appointment. I understand that this is a demanding profession, but overworked staff was the final red flag for us. So yeah, I don't know. Yikes. I can see how alma would be a good fit for some people, but ultimately didn't work for us. read more

Alma was recommended to us by some friends. I was very fortunate that my pregnancy was healthy and uncomplicated, and simply put, we were able to create the exact birth experience I wanted due to the continuous guidance, education, and encouragement I received from all of the midwives at Alma. We opted to give birth at the birth center. Their prenatal care is excellent. I received or was referred for all tests, screens, and ultrasounds required to monitor our pregnancy to ensure it was medically healthy, and at every prenatal appointment we were given ample time to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss our progress. This holistic care served to not only take care of my physical health but also my mental and emotional health as well. We practiced what to expect during labor and catching the baby and had many important conversations about our expectations and what would happen if we ended up needing to go to the hospital. Our son was born in the Clover room. This is a very beautiful, comfortable, and private room and I really hope we can birth there again. When we arrived around 4am everything was ready for us, including a hot bath. During labor, I received just the right level of support from the midwives. They coaxed me along by sitting with me and actually breathing with me when I needed encouragement to persevere, and stepped back to simply observe and advise when I needed. When our son finally arrived, and he needed a little encouragement to brighten up after the birth, they kept my husband and I at ease by handling everything calmly and coached me to help him (he was completely fine). Afterwards, they checked up on us regularly, performed the screens and checkups we needed, and gave us a lot of time to bond as our new family and to rest and recover. Their wonderful care continued in postpartum with home visits during the first week to check on how we were coping, how our baby was nursing, and provide support we needed to be successful. We then continued to receive care at the midwifery for our son's 2-, 4-, and 6-week appointments, and again, we were given more than enough time to meet and talk with the midwives during those visits. I feel so lucky that we were able to experience this - their care meant a lot to our family and I am looking forward to doing it again someday. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to experience a freeing, personal, and natural birthing experience. read more

Simply put, the Alma team radiates a sense of love and nurturing that is so invaluable to mamas and their families! We recently had our first baby at their gorgeous birth center and were blown away by how easy they made everything for us. Our birth experience was nothing short of magical thanks to their calming presence and stealthy abilities to work around us so you can keep your focus inward. My husband was especially grateful for the amount he was able to be involved in with both the labor and delivery. Something that could never happen in a hospital birth! As an RN with labor experience, I knew "what to expect" but the Alma team are so much more than just safely delivering your baby. Their emotional support, positive energy and reassurance are exactly what every woman deserves for her birth and postpartum care! Of note, we transferred care to Alma at 32 weeks because we were unhappy with the facility we had initially established care. From the first phone call, the Alma team welcomed us with loving, nonjudgmental arms and we are SO grateful we made the switch! read more

I ended up having an epic birth story - 5 days and 4 nights of labor. Ultimately my baby was born naturally with no interventions, no drugs and no c-section for mom - just as I desired. I feel almost certain that had I been in a hospital I would have received interventions that ultimately would not have been according to my wishes (you can feel like you want and ask for some pretty crazy stuff when in labor). Yet I had a perfectly healthy baby at home. Both baby and I were monitored extremely closely throughout the labor. There was someone here with me from my birth team nearly around the clock and one long night of the labor, one of the midwives, Corinne, even stayed with me and tried to help me rest between contractions. Even after a sleepless night for both of us, she woke and picked fresh flowers, arranged them in a bouquet, and made a healthy meal from food I had in the house. My four friends and birth partners came and went and were treated like part of the team. The Alma midwives were professional, courteous and incredibly supportive - even though no one during my birth was getting much sleep. When we got to day four the team called in a chiropractor with experience treating pregnant women, we had a massage therapist come and an acupuncturist who helped stimulate more active labor. The midwives welcomed these therapists and interfaced with them - telling them where things were at with the labor and ways they might be of specific help. Ultimately I believe I was able to endure through a long home labor and have my daughter and myself come out healthy because of the enormous trust I had in my birth team. Part of this trust came from the hours we spent together during prenatal visits. I have no fewer than SEVEN friends who became pregnant after me. They all have made their own choices (from midwife centers in hospitals to a full hospital birth) and none have received the same amount, quality of care and chance to connect very closely with their caregivers as I experienced during my pregnancy and birth. I received all of the same tests, screens, exams and advice that anyone at a hospital might receive, but I also spent an hour at every prenatal visit getting to know and trust the wonderful people who guided me through the most intense experience of my life so far. I would not hesitate to recommend Alma or the midwives there to anyone. My midwives were: Kori Pienovi, Debbie Wong and apprentice Corinne Rupp. read more

I love Alma Midwifery! its tucked behind a neighborhood storefront, inside of an old victorian which is beautiful. they have three gorgeous birthing rooms that i did not use because i wanted to have my baby at home - but if you are looking for a birthing center, look no further. ultimately, one should choose their midwife based on how you feel about them, values you share, and how much they are willing to support you in the birth process. I chose Alma because my midwives, Kate and Melissa, were all that and more for me. They respected the kind of birth i wanted, and i honestly have to say that it happened just as i'd wanted it to. my son is now a healthy 18 month old, and i know if i have another child i will be calling Alma again. read more

Alma is incredible. You walk past the gates into a sweet little patio, and the rest of the city seems to fall away. It's quiet, and stately and just beautiful. The appointment rooms are in a separate, but connected, space, so as to keep the house free for laboring women, and the many wonderful classes the offer in their downstairs "living room." Birthing there, with my midwives, Kate, Angela, and Stephanie was such a privilege. I couldn't imagine a more perfect birth! I could go on for hours, but it's clear how thrilled I am with the care I received throughout my pregnancy, delivery, and now into the postpartum period. My baby is just over 10 days old, and my wonderful midwives are still on call for any questions I may have. it's such a wonderful feeling to be so well-supported. The actual center is just gorgeous, a traditional Victorian house that's been seamlessly outfitted into a birth center, with all the necessary accoutrement, but you'd never know it just by looking. Everything is so well-decorated, and a sense of calm, sure energy pervades the space. Their postpartum care is excellent. They have fabulous postpartum doulas that stay at the birth center and are there to assist with your every need after the birth. The whole experience was simply enchanting! read more

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We just had our first child, Emmett on September 26. This entire experience with Alma was incredible. The midwives on my team were Kori Pienovi, Erin Yocum, Cortney Holmes, and Laura Erickson. Throughout my pregnancy they were able to answer every crazy question that I had. I could call them anytime. After every appointment, I was able to leave feeling relaxed after being reassured that we were doing everything we were supposed to be doing. The birth itself was very challenging. My team gave tips on different positions to get into, encouraged me to walk around, do lunges, hike the stairs, even though these were the last things I wanted to do. When the contractions became extreme, I received massage to help me relax. After 32 hours we decided as a team that it would be safer for my baby if we went to the hospital. I was scared because it wasn't part of my plan, but I had complete trust in these ladies. They all came to the hospital with me and stayed with me and my husband until midnight when it was decided that safest move would be an emergency c-section. Cortney was there when the surgery was complete and she made it back to our room with us. I was visited in my hospital room the day of the birth, the day after the birth, at my house the day following my return home and a week later at my home. I was so thankful to not have to travel since I was recovering. During these visits, they checked on me and Emmett and gave me great tips on nursing. I only have a few appointments left at Alma. It is going to be sad leaving them after bonding with them this past year. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a more personal and a natural approach to birth. read more

i had the most wonderful experience with Alma Midwifery. Laura, Janelle, and Julie are welcoming, warm, and knowledgeable. from the beginning of my care, i felt fully supported and listened to. hour long prenatal appointments allow you to really get to know your midwives and have all of your questions answered - or just a great time to chat about how you're feeling, and what's on your mind. there are 4 birth rooms to choose from, each with large beds and birth tubs. it was so homey and comfortable! they made us breakfast after our son was born, had lunch prepared, and ordered us dinner of our choice in the evening. i loved having the flexibility of when we went home, too, and they made sure we were comfortable and taken care of. care also included three home visits after baby was born, at 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week. it is sooo nice to not have to leave home for baby's first check-ups. they also provide full support via phone or text for any questions/concerns/etc at any time. highly recommend for a wonderful pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. read more

BEWARE!!!!!!! If you know that no problems will come up then this place could be for you, but if ANYTHING goes wrong you will be dropped and it will take months to get you money back. I was due 1/29/21. Mid November 2020, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was told by a midwife that it I should be able to control it with diet and exercise then if that didn't work I would see a nutritionist. If that still didn't work, I would have to be transferred to a hospital. My fasting numbers were high. Then at the beginning of December, I had an virtual appointment with one of the midwives. The director Laura called me from her car to tell me that I needed to be transferred to a hospital. She acted like I should have known it was coming, but I did not. I broke down and cried. I could tell that she was in her car as I could here the blinkers. It seemed that she couldn't be bothered to tell me devastating news from her office. Laura told me that I would not be charged for a full visit, then when I got  the billing breakdown I noticed that I was charged for a full visit for that date.   What came next is still not resolved. I asked about the money we paid and how long before we get that back. I was told the billing manager wouldn't be back until the new year and at that point they would reach out to my insurance. Then the end of January I was told they were still waiting from my insurance to get back to them. I contacted them at the end of February, I was provided a breakdown of what I was billed for and then told that Laura and the accountant would have to sign off on the check. I would receive an email before it would be sent out. It is now almost April and I still haven't heard a thing. read more

After much research & many phone calls to midwives in the Portland area, I chose Alma for my 4th baby 3rd home birth and I'm SO happy that I did!!! Honestly my love for Alma started with the 1st phone call! Rainn was so kind and answered all of my initial questions. I've lost 2 babies previously to miscarriage and had a scare with my most recent baby, I had not chosen a midwife at the time so I called Alma and Janell was so quick to help me with no guarantee of receiving anything in return. I decided on that day to go with Alma because I knew these midwives had a true love for what they do and truly desire to help women. I had an amazing midwife with my 1st 2 home-birth's so the Alma midwives had some BIG shoes to fill and they did not disappoint. I always felt so cared for! I loved having the undivided attention of whoever was with me at my appointment. I was initially nervous of not knowing for sure which midwife I would have but honestly it worked out just fine, there wasn't one I didn't love and I would have happily had ALL of them at my birth. When it came time for birth I felt respected and that all of my requests were met. I had a very hard labor and felt so supported and truly loved. I'm so thankful for Alma midwifery and would choose them over and over again! (As far a billing goes... it couldn't have been easier.) read more

My husband and I very recently welcomed our first child at Alma's birthing center. I cannot say enough about the incredible care we've received from early pregnancy to our post-partum checkups. From covid to the wildfires and more, 2020 has been a pretty stressful year to become new parents. Throughout it all, Alma's expert team has treated us with compassion and understanding. They have truly gone above and beyond - answering our questions at all hours, rushing to our home to address unique medical issues, and connecting us with exceptional 3rd-party care providers. It's clear that everyone at Alma genuinely cares about our family's health and happiness, and we are so grateful we made the decision to birth with them. read more

I totally understand that prenatal care is challenging during this pandemic but I have grown tired of seeing disclaimers for poor service due to COVID. We all know the story and are living it as well. We can't make excuses for poor services the medical services must still be held to high standards, especially when it comes to bringing new life into this world. My daughter used Alma for her first child. New mother just 23. I will not go into all the details but I would not recommend them to new young mothers due to her experience. For those that have used them and loved it I'm happy you had that experience. It was not ours. Two midwives broke her water at one point and she suffered through labor for hours before another midwife came in and checked her and found they had only broken the first membrane. Maybe that mistake happens often? I've delivered 4 and have not had that happen to me but I will have an open mind. It was at this point they discovered meconium present. And because of their "liability" they said we needed to transfer to a hospital. I have no doubt that is where she may have very well ended up and we accepted that but to have them state it was because of their liability and NOT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY DAUGHTER AND HER UNBORN CHILD has stuck with me since that night. I won't say there weren't some very compassionate and obviously well trained people she saw while there because there were. One midwife was amazing and very special to us and we won't forget her staying the night while she labored before going to the facility. We just wish she'd been able to stay with us throughout the entire process. I have never left a YELP review but felt compelled after the experience today I had with their billing dept. I have no issues paying the medical bills we owe and have the money ready but wanted clear and concise answers as to what was billed to insurance and what they paid. It was left to me to try to get those answers and not them. Not the experience I've had with other medical facilities. They were always helpful in working with insurance etc, after all, they wanted their money right :-). My experience with this billing dept here ended up feeling very Unprofessional and unorganized at its best. I wish Alma the very best in the future and I hope they look at this review as not negative but maybe a training opportunity to just get better. I believe in these facilities and I hope all that go have an experience that is amazing as they welcome their newborns into the world. What a blessing that moment is! read more

Now that my baby is almost a year, I am finally getting around to this review... In short, we loved our experience with Alma. I was immediately won over by how comfortable the birthing center felt and the warmth we received from their empowering staff. From the front desk ladies to the midwives, everyone is there to support you and help you make informed decisions. Our midwives were Kori, Katherine and Angela. We loved the three person team dynamic, as each woman brought a different set of wisdom and sensitivity to the table. The appointments were never rushed, as each one is at least an hour - lots of time for our many questions. They were always available via phone or text as well, which we didn't take advantage of too much but it was nice to know they were there. Alma's approach is to support you making informed decisions. They give you lots of information, present you with options through your pregnancy and let you make the best choice for your family. I personally hate being told what to do, so this went over really well with me. I felt like they were on my side, always ready with answers and advice when I needed it, but not pushing anything on me. I appreciated the many classes they offered on breastfeeding, post-partum care and their monthly pregnant mamas group. It was a great resource for us to meet other soon-to-be-parents, since many of our friends don't have kids. I take our little one to their weekly play groups as well, which our baby loves. Such a great community! My labor was beautiful and amazing. The midwives were attentive, encouraging and wonderfully supportive. Some mamas I know had to be transferred to a hospital for one reason or another, but I their midwife teams stayed with them from beginning to end. It's scary when things don't go as planned and some elements of birth are simply out of our control. But they are there to support you and advocate for you through it all, which gave us great piece of mind. We were lucky and had the birth we wanted, bringing our baby into the world from the birthing tub in the Fern room. The recovery for two nights at the birthing center was out of this world blissful. The 24 hour doula care was so perfect - helping with breastfeeding, post-partum mama care, bringing us food and snacks. The massage I had before leaving the birthing center was the best massage of my life - she knew exactly which muscles and joints would need attention after birth. It was a dream "babymoon". Eleven months later, I still wish I could go back to the birthing center for a night here and there to recharge :) What amazing midwives and empowering care. I can't recommend them highly enough. read more

I am a first time mom and really wanted to have a natural water birth with my baby. I chose Alma because I had heard so many amazing stories and birth experiences that people I knew had at Alma. I did not take into consideration that those moms had babies a few years ago and I think lots of things have changed since then. I want to start by saying that Laura, the owner is very knowledgeable. It seems like she really knows her stuff when it comes to having babies naturally, she has over 30 year's experience as a midwife. She was always very engaged at our appointments. It does seem however that she needs to hire more midwives and someone to come in there and really streamline the business and make improvements. Like others mentioned, I experienced extremely over-tired midwives at almost all my visits. To the point where they couldn't remember what we had or had not talked about and were constantly yawning through their sentences. A lot of the time I got vague answers to my questions, with a very care-free attitude. In some situations I just needed more details and clarification. At almost every appointment an instrument or tool that was needed was for the appointment was not in the room, where it should have been and they had to leave the room and go hunt it down. This happened all the time - blood pressure cuff, Fetal Doppler, Stethoscopes, etc. On more than a few occasions the room was not cleaned up before my appointment. Used tea cups on the table, someone's sweatshirt on the couch, used kleenex's, etc. So, I would say that the cleanliness of this place is lacking. It definitely could use a facelift. I stuck out my care at Alma, because of the positive stories I heard, the fact that I don't typically like medical doctors and there are not many other places in Portland where you can have a true water birth and that was really important to me. They do have a system set up to where you have appointments with all the midwives and when it comes time for labor, whoever is on call, will be delivering your baby. There are 3 midwives at Alma. I connected most with Julie, she was caring, genuine and amazing. At the time I was going there they were also transitioning all of their classes and events into a new space (not sure if that has been settled) but I was unable to take advantage of those resources which was a bummer. I was unable to have my birth at Alma in the end, because my baby came 16 days late. The cut off for a natural delivery is 14 days overdue. I was induced at Legacy Emanuel, Julie spent many hours with me in the hospital during my 3 day long labor and her support was very comforting and helpful, especially since I had never met the doctors at Emanuel and I hate hospitals. In the end I am really glad I ended up in the hospital, as I had to have a c-section due to complications and was really happy I did not have to be transferred for that. My husband was really upset that Alma never talked to us about how risky it was that I was two weeks overdue. They just made it seem like it was completely normal for a first time mom and to relax. The hospital staff mentioned several times that they never let anyone go that overdue, because of all the risks and complications it can cause. Another reason, I am extremely happy I ended up in the hospital. After baby was born healthy and happy, the Alma midwives still came to our house for all our post-partum visits which was really helpful. The last piece I want to share is what a nightmare the billing department is at Alma. We were constantly ignored during our time there when trying to reach out with insurance and billing questions. I am not exaggerating when I say, months would go by and several attempts to reach out and Caylee would not get back to us. We felt desperate to have important insurance questions answered. We had to constantly pester her and that was really annoying and extremely stressful when you are dealing with a lot of up-front money. Our baby just turned 6 months old and we JUST NOW got our refund, from not having our birth there. That is extremely frustrating when you now have tons of other medical bills to pay to the hospital and your money is tied up at Alma. We got every excuse in the book as to why we had not received our refund yet. The last excuse was that the owner was out of town for the week and could not sign the check, well 6 more weeks went by after that and we had to reach out AGAIN for our money. The organization, billing and cleanliness of this place needs some major changes. I also feel like they are under staffed, which is unfair to all the wonderful midwives that are there. I would not go back to Alma for another baby. In fact, I don't think I will be trying a natural birth again which is really unfortunate. read more

Both my children, now ages four and two, were born at Alma's birth center. As I have never had an in-hospital birth, nor one with drugs or interventions, I can't give the most fair comparison. However, I can say that when I compare my birth stories to the many other parents I know, mine sounds like a blissful dream. I developed an amazing and trusting relationship with Pamela and Kate, and Stephanie joined as the apprentice for our second birth. They clearly explained the standard tests, alternative options, and were careful to remain factual and let me and my partner choose which options were best for us. My every need and desire were met from our first appointment through postpartum. And although I used their water birth facilities, they did home visits (to ensure they knew where to go if I did have a home emergency, but also to allow for the most restful situation postpartum). I could go on, but I will sum-up by saying I can't imagine more ideal care than I received at Alma Midwifery. read more

Alma Midwifery - Beautiful Water Birth - Midwives Near Me - Portland, Oregon

WE LOVE ALMA!! When searching for birthing centers in the Portland area, we wanted to find a comfortable space with midwifes that we trusted to help us have a healthy, natural birth. From our very first meeting with Laura, we felt at ease. She cared for us as individuals, always answering all of our questions and listening to our concerns. She was geniunely kind and knowledgable throughout each visit. When our son went past the 41 week mark, Laura spoke with us about many natural options to encourage labor. We were a little concerned, but Laura made us feel confident that everything was going to work out. And sure enough, less than 24 hours later (after an accupuncture session), I went into labor! During labor, I was able to move around & have my husband stay involved while the midwifes were in and out of the room to monitor me & the baby. They also encouraged me through some tough times in labor. It was a great combination of having privacy while also feeling extremely supported and well taken care of. We trusted them 100% & felt very comfortable throughout my labor. Laura and Caroline continued to be a great support after Jake's birth as well. They came to our house the day after Jake was born as well as at 3 days and 1 week. Then we went to the office for a checkup at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. It was so great to have someone that we trusted to help us in the first few weeks as new parents. We feel truely blessed to have Laura, Caroline and Clare be apart of our birth experience and our journey into parenthood. They are HIGHLY recommended :) read more

This place works for MANY women, not me. My mistake was that I did not take initiative and know what to ask my potential future midwife, but they style they took was not good for me. We planned a home birth and ended in the hospital (which was good as we both survived). When the midwives arrived at our house, my family had been there for hours supporting me and the midwives basically relaxed (and were fed by my sister). They didn't check my dilation before telling me it was okay to push and my midwife had to stop for GAS during our emergency trip to the hospital at 2 am. read more

I was initially very excited about Alma. I called one day to ask about the details of my first appointment and how it would change due to the new Covid-19 outbreak. I spoke with Laura (who I believe is a midwife and the OWNER of Alma). She asked what my baby's name was. After I told her she said, "That's ironically white trash." I was in shock that a medical professional would say something so hurtful and disrespectful. I hung up the phone and cried. It's already a difficult time to be bringing a baby into the world; this was not the kind of care I was hoping to experience. Let's just say I will be experiencing the most important moment of my life elsewhere. read more

Our daughter was born in the Clover Room at the birthing center, and my labor and birth, while difficult, will remain one of the most joyful days of my life. This was in large part due to the exceptional care we received from our birthing team. During labor and throughout my pregnancy, I felt empowered and safe. I had challenges during my pregnancy, and received individualized, patient-centered care from each and every midwife and student midwife there. When necessary, they coordinated care with the hospital and kept in close touch with me and the care team. Because you get hour-long prenatal appointments, you get to know each midwife and I felt totally comfortable with each of them. Although they have different styles, my husband and I both noticed that they were very consistent in the way they communicated with us and with each other- everyone was in the loop, so we never had to repeat ourselves or catch them up on what was going on with me. We had switched to Alma early on in my pregnancy after I had found the hospital I had originally chosen for my care to be disorganized. With Alma Midwifery, everything felt more compassionate, yes, but it also felt more professional, and the midwives always get back to you right away if you have a question or concern. We were under the false impression that we couldn't afford a midwife, but I would encourage you to get a consultation from Alma and work with your insurance to find out what is possible for your family. With all the prenatal and postpartum care for you AND baby included, I actually can't believe how affordable it is. Kudos to Alma for holding such a high standard of care, and beyond that- operating as a teaching center, making sure future families get the same wonderful care from expert midwives that we did. read more

I cannot gush enough about Alma Midwifery and their AMAZING midwives and staff! 1 year and 1 month ago today I gave birth to my son, naturally, at their birth center. I had a long labor due to the fact that my son was presenting sideways until the end, but despite that, my 3 lovely midwives were by my side through the entire thing! I have absolutely no doubt that I would have received a c-section if I had given birth in the hospital. Instead, I received support and encouragement to help me get through the long hours of labor. My husband was able to be right by my side the entire time I was laboring and even delivered our son in the birthing tub! Stephanie slept on our couch when I was in early labor and stayed with me for a long time until I was ready to go to the birth center. Mirra talked me through the toughest part of my labor and I credit her with helping me progress when I really just wanted to give up! Despite my long labor, I was able to have a water birth just like I wanted and it was the most powerful experience of my life! I lost a lot of blood after birth from my uterus not contracting like it was supposed to, but Kori confidently and lovingly stepped right in, held my hand and took care of the problem. I would trust that woman with my life and so glad she was there! After birth, my husband and I were cozied up in a bed with our new baby and left alone to bond. The doulas at the center took awesome care of us, drew me up baths everyday and brought us delicious food! All of our friends and family that came to visit in the following days commented on how gorgeous our room was and how homey it was! I also got a massage before I went home, which helped me relax tremendously. Beyond the amazing birth experience, prenatal care is out of this world. They allow you to make your own choices regarding care, which I loved. And I felt comfortable at all my appointments with these 3 women I got to see every single time I went in. Claudia and Kristy Rose are also welcome faces to see behind the desk and are always polite and friendly! As someone mentioned before, the home visits after birth are a life saver! I really enjoyed being in the comfort of my home and not being forced to take my newborn into a busy medical center to get checked on. It was fabulous! Currently, I am 14 weeks pregnant with our second baby and we are with Alma again. I could not be more at ease and comfortable knowing that I will be surrounded once again by those who have my best interest at heart during labor! Even better, I have 2 of my same midwives on my birth team this time around. I recommend Alma to anyone looking to have a natural birth! Let's bring midwifery care back to the forefront of the birth experience! My amazingly awesome midwives were Kori, Stephanie E. and Mirra! read more

I had my first baby 6 weeks ago, at my home, with the help of three lovely women from Alma. Nine months ago I visited their birthing center and decided I wanted them to help me bring my child into the world. For the months that followed, they made sure that my baby and I were both healthy and growing well and, when the time came, they were by my side, helping me to labor her into the world. I had a fast labor that started at 5 in the morning and ended at 11, just 6 short hours later. My husband does not drive and it happened so much faster than you're told to expect, so it was fantastic that I could stay at home. When the midwives arrived, one by one, they made me feel comfortable and confident that I could give birth to my daughter the way I wanted, without medication and in a place I felt safe: my home. My midwives were Melissa, Stephanie E., and Cindy. All three wonderful women who made my experience becoming a mother a wonderful, happy thing. If I have more children, I'll be going back to Alma. read more

My husband and I knew that, as long as our situation remained low risk, that we did not want a hospital birth. We looked at the many options in Portland, and fell in love with Alma. Our original plan was to have our baby at Alma's birth center, with Kori, Tara, and Kathy as our midwives. We had several prenatal visits with them, and it was the most respectful and informative experience I have ever had in a medical environment. For prenatal care, every appointment is a full hour so that you can discuss every question, concern, though and need that comes up. We felt very well cared for throughout our short experience. Why was it short? Well... At the suggestion of Kori, we decided to get an ultrasound at Legacy to rule out a specific complication (they do not have an ultrasound machine at Alma), and discovered we were having twins! Whoa! Unfortunately, due to the higher risks, Alma does not offer a birth center birth for twins. They let us know a midwife could attend a home birth for twins, and that it was a personal choice, but we didn't feel that was right for us. I felt that our midwives were very honest with us about what was best for our babies. Kori gave us incredible advice and recommended an OB that she felt would match our philosophies on birth and pregnancy, and had experience with multiples. Even though we did not wind up having the entire scope of care through Alma, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them! Also, Alma offers well-women care, even if you are not pregnant. read more

I recommend Alma to anyone seeking a natural childbirth experience. I had my first child in their Birth Center and my second at home. Both times I felt complete trust in my care. They put huge emphasis on creating nurturing relationships with their clients and their clients families. They realize that the more comfortable and relaxed the mother is, the easier the entire birth experience will be. My midwives were Laura, Melissa and Katherine. read more