Roots was critical in my pregnancy journey last year. We confirmed we were pregnant early 2019 and…read moremy research began. I'd initially been interested in a home/water birth but my husband wasn't on board since this would be our first baby. I knew i didn't want a hospital birth, it all just seemed so sterile and mechanized plus i've never been a fan of actual hospital facilities, they always invoked feelings of despair in me. So i started looking to see if there was a happy medium. Initially i'd learned about birth centers from Instagram but since i'd recently moved to MN i wasn't sure there were any around me. A few more months into my pregnancy, i decided to look up birth centers on Yelp (as a new resident, Yelp was my lifeline to finding anything in Minneapolis). Roots Birth Center came up but it said "unclaimed" so i figured it probably didn't exist or used to exist but had been closed down. By then i was having hip issues (around 36 week) so i went to a chiropractor and while getting adjusted she asked where i'd be delivering. I told her we were currently registered at Mercy Mother and Child but i'd have preferred a birthing center since i really wanted a water birth. She then mentioned Roots and told me she'd heard really good things about it and i just knew that was my confirmation!!! I googled Roots, found the address and Hubby and i scheduled an appointment. Luckily they were able to take me on as i think the cutoff for admission was 37 weeks (the universe works in amazing ways). We were thrilled to find out Roots was covered by our insurance too; we registered for classes - childbirthing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding/lactation, classes for partners/support people etc (which were tremendously cheaper than Amma). We got a tour, so i got to check out where i'd be delivering, all hubby's questions were answered and he felt reassured that we had nothing to worry about (plus Roots collaborates with North Memorial Hospital which was like 10mins away should there be a need to transfer to a hospital - which ended up being our case). My widwives got to know me personally, we felt so comfy and at home during check ups, met other couples and bonded during classes. My delivery story is one for the books lol. Water broke, we came into Roots and i started laboring in the water (100% recommend for anyone on the fence about water births, contractions are a lot more tolerable in the water); unfortunately my lil guy was quite comfy in the belly and i wasn't dilating much. My midwife and doula were tremendous in keeping me comfy and trying different approaches, i walked, did stairs, bounced on the medicine ball, tried different positions etc. Eventually labor started to progress but still not dilating much but then baby's heart rate started to drop and after about 10mins my midwife thought it best to call for an ambulance. Ambulance came, we got in and headed to the hospital; My midwife and doula met us as the hospital, informed the doctor of my birth plans and were with me throughout till my little guy arrived. My widwife was actually the one who came up with using the towel tug o war method to help me deliver after everything else had failed and the doctors were pushing for an epidural (which i didn't want). After 40+ hours of labor, i was overjoyed to be holding our baby and blessed to have been able to do it as i'd planned in my birth plan, with a few tweaks here and there lol; all thanks to my midwives and doula who were my advocates and backed up everything my husband and i asked for. Second baby is on the way and you already know which birthing center we'll be going back to!

Having a kid is scary. Beautiful. Amazing. And SCARY. As a first time mom I am thrilled to have run…read moreacross an organization that supports the many forms/styles/approaches parenting can take. And participating in E.M. s new mama group was one of the most intelligent things I could have done. (In fact, i still am!) The childbirth collective and enlightened mama were really the two most positive organizations I have run across when it comes to birthing and parenting. I highly encourage any parent to check out Enlightened Mama's wide array of classes and groups.

I haven't taken any of the Enlightened Mama classes yet, except for prenatal yoga, which was kind…read moreof 'meh.' (Too gentle, and too much lying on your back for pregnant women!). But they do have a nice variety of educational classes, which I will be taking advantage of. The people are really nice, too. What I have used is the Childbirth Collective, which is a non-profit that operates in the same space and offers free lectures on various pregnancy/birth topics, and brings together many members of the natural childbirth community. The lectures are hit or miss, some I thought were awesome, and some just ok, but the good ones were WELL worth it, and the networking opportunities to meet other parents and care providers is fantastic. The only thing I really wish they'd update is the seating. The couches are pretty uncomfortable, and many people have to sit on the floor on pillows, since there isn't enough seating. But other than that, the space is beautiful, clean, very nice. Recommend checking them out if you're in the area. Update: I took the Infant CPR class at Enlightened Mama, and while they did get the information across, I wish I'd done it somewhere else. They were disorganized, and spent the last 30 min discussing "natural" remedies for common childhood illnesses, some of which were goofy, and others which frankly, were dangerous in my opinion. If you are the "crunchy mama" type, you might be into it, but if you are looking for a medical-type class, this is not it. Still giving it 4 stars, but only because of the Childbirth Collective. I'll be taking my other classes elsewhere.

I started seeing Abby at 32 weeks pregnant - I have been battling a herniated disc for over a year…read morenow so taking on pregnancy has been a ball of emotions not knowing how my body will handle it. I've only visited two times and already feel relief from things we have been doing and only hope it can continue from now until postpartum. This place is family/women focused, they are supportive, and they even provide rooms or activities for children that come with moms to appointments to keep them busy. It's truly a special place and I'm glad I took the leap to switch practices and can only hope it continues to help me heal. **update postpartum life - I'm feeling great and still seeing Abby when needed, I truly think what they do here is focused and knowledgeable. Lactation consultations are helpful and having kids in general at this place while trying to sneak an appt in is amazing. They have a playroom, activities to distract your littles, and help when needed or baby is fussy so you can relax and have some self care.

I couldn't recommend these ladies enough!! I absolutely love my visits here, both for the expert…read morecare and how amazing I feel physically after every visit, but also for the incredible staff and how thoughtful and personable they are. I always leave feeling like I caught up with friends (I do consider them friends now). Dr Jesse was made for this. She's so knowledgeable in the female body and I swear after seeing her only twice before delivery, helped make my delivery experience short and SO much better than I was expecting. Post baby, I have come In often with typical mom pain in my back from nursing, tight jaw, and rotator cuff pain. They never fail to get me feeling better and really listen to what I'm feeling. Their follow up emails with videos and work to do at home just shows how much they care and truly want you to feel your best. Now that I've moved 30 minutes from them, I will continue to come in! They have the best welcoming atmosphere if you have to bring your kids with, and have helped me feel comfortable in bringing my 7 month old daughter along when I get adjusted and deep tissue work done (the BEST add on). They entertain her and are so so sweet. Love this business and these women!

Amy was our Doula for both of our kiddos. I'm absolutely positive that my first experience was…read moregreat mostly because of her presence. Her support leading up to our birth helped me get my mind and body ready. During labor I was able to really relax because I knew between her and my partner everything was taken care of. I felt supported, safe, and calm. My second birth I needed more help with comfort measures and somehow she always knew exactly what to try to get me through the contractions. I would recommend her as a Doula without hesitation.

Our doula Sarah was great when she was here to help our family but I can't in good faith recommend…read moreWelcome Baby Care and their unprofessional/disorganized admin services to other families. Not only did the owner run late and almost miss our very first meeting to get to know Welcome Baby Care & what they offer (because she admittedly slept in past our meeting time) WBC also decided that our previously arranged doula schedule was less important than another families new request for doula Sarah, despite us having had her scheduled with us previously weeks in advance (prior to this other client). I understand things happen but I feel that what I experienced from the owner & her scheduling team was very unprofessional - and left me without care and needing to scramble in order to find help with my baby and not let my own clients down for my and my husbands in home business and meetings..causing this new mama a lot of stress that was unneeded as shouldn't have been an issue because I thought I had a dependable service.

Love the staff at Welcome Baby Care! They've now helped us with two of our babies and it's such a…read morerelief to have someone trustworthy watching our newborns so we can get some much-needed sleep! The service and care are both wonderful - cannot say enough good things!

I am still amazed by the awesome care I received at the MN Birth Center (St. Paul) location. I…read morealways wanted a more natural birth and didn't know what was possible until I found the MN Birth Center. Every appointment leading up to the birth of my little one was awesome. Each appointment the midwives made sure to answer all my questions and I never felt rushed. My birth and labor were really long due to baby's position and I know if I had been at a hospital I would have ended up with drugs and a c-section which is not at all what I wanted. But the midwives and nurses were there the whole time helping me through it at the birth center and on the phone when I was at home. Even though giving birth in a pandemic is not what I expected. I am so thankful for the MN Birth Center for the opportunity to give birth how as close as how I wanted to during such crazy times.

This is an excellent facility, top notch staff, run under auspices of a fetal medicine specialist…read morewho wanted to help women have more options to give birth naturally. They helped me do just that! I ran into red tape on every direction due to a false positive turners syndrome on blood test screening. I did not want to undergo amniocentesis due to risks and wanted a water birth as I had experienced previously with my first baby. My care was dropped by Health Foundations Birth Center at 34 weeks pregnant but I was able to continue with the amazing staff at the MN Birth Center and have the birth experience I had been hoping for! I'd give them 6 stars if possible!

I had a HORRIBLE experience with DR Stassart. We did not have any luck having a baby but most of…read moreall after spending thousands he made us feel like we were annoying him with asking any questions at all. TERRIBLE person and really awful bedside manner!! Stay away!

I absolutely loved my experience with RMIA. I was debating between going out of state to save money…read moreand had my consult with Dr. Kim and knew I found my doctor. She was so understanding, knowledgeable and the staff walked me through the whole process. The process itself is a LOT and takes time--but I had a great experience with the whole team. Thank you!

I have been seen with Clinic Sofia for the past 5-6 years. I was so hopeful to go through my pre…read morepregnancy, pregnancy and post pregnancy with this clinic. I enjoyed my experiences with all of the doctors and PA's that I worked with especially Dr. Jordi. I am saddened that I will no longer continue my care with this practice and that I wont get to deliver with Dr. Jordi or any other provider that I trusted. It is scary being pregnant and working with a great doctor for so many years and then having to make a change. I am currently pregnant with my first child and going through some abnormal symptoms that I find concerning. I called my care team and let the nurse know of my concerns in hopes that they would get me in to check my vitals and baby. Instead I was met with comments like I need to go to the ER or see a Neurologist... I was very taken back as my symptoms were not emergent. I have been seen for so many years with this team and they had no interest in getting me in and checking my blood pressure or any other simple tests to see if that may be the problem to my symptoms. I called back again in the afternoon to advocate for myself and try to get in with my OBGYN to ensure my baby and myself are healthy. The nurse was extremely dismissive and wouldn't let me get more than two words in. As a first time pregnant women I began to feel emotional and scared as it was clear they they did not care about me or my baby and were not going to help me. I have never been spoken to so poorly or ignored by a nurse more in my life. The nurse also stated that "they do not have any same day appointments" and they "wouldn't be able to give me the care that I needed if I needed fluids"... Maybe if they got me into the clinic they could see what I actually needed and didn't need and then go from there?.. As a frightened first time mom I would hope that my care team would be eager to get me in to check on me and my baby. I called a different OBGYN facility and explained the same symptoms to their team and they scheduled to get me in immediately due to their concerns with my symptoms. I HIGHLY recommend going elsewhere if you feel you are not getting taken seriously by the nurses. Always advocate for yourself and find a team that listens and cares about your wellbeing! I hope other first time moms do not have to experience what I did.

I can't say enough positive things about Clinic Sofia, Dr. Clay, and the team of receptionists,…read morephlebotomists, ultrasound technicians, medical assistants and nursing staff and providers. They are caring, sensitive, supportive, and have been a true light in our journey. Thank you, Clinic Sofia!