My mom was going through so much lower back pressure. They knew what to do and provided unconditional support. Half of my siblings have been born here. They fed my mom and kept her comfortable and happy. A happy, healthy mother is a happy, healthy home. read more

See all

These women are amazing. Anna, Laurel, Alice, and Jenna! Our experience with the birth center was really exceptional. The care you will receive here is simply excellent. From prenatal visits, to communication and quick response times on even the smallest questions; SBBC is exceptional ! read more

Santa Barbara Birth Center - Our greatest gift little Miss Bay Zephyrina Bagshaw! - Midwives Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Having started first with an OB before transferring to the midwives, I can say unequivocally that the care, attention and thoughtfulness that we received during my first pregnancy at SB Birth Center was in a completely different ballpark than the traditional medical model. The midwives provided us with absolutely excellent prenatal care, with the added bonus of a holistic approach which ensured that we developed emotionally right along with my pregnancy so that when we did finally meet our little girl, we had grown so much as people. We met parenthood feeling completely empowered and informed. We so appreciated the long (over an hour) regular check ups, the weekly tea circles with other moms expecting when I was, the monthly potlucks with former families who come to tell their birth stories and the community that we created with other expecting couples. Though I'm sure the OB we had initially chosen would have done a perfunctory job, I often shudder to think how much we would have lost had we never chosen the midwives. The choice to seek their care was the best decision we could have ever made - both for our baby and for ourselves. We were cared for, prioritized, listened to with great concern and thought, and given the opportunity to develop a strong sense of community at a critical point in our lives. We are forever grateful to the midwives and to the SB community that has supported them so they can continue to bring healthy, beautiful babies into the world. read more

When I became pregnant, I hadn't yet fully understood what midwives were about. But, being someone who never uses MDs for my health (I tend to use chiropractic, naturopathy, homeopathy as my main 'stay well' modalities) I suddenly wondered why I would go to a white-coated doctor for pre-natal and birth care; the thought felt odd and unsettling to me. I turned to several women friends who I admired who had all had midwife care for their pregnancies to find out what that meant ... and they encouraged me to find someone local. On my first visit to the SB Birth Center, I was so taken by the way they described themselves as wanting to "create a culture of parenting" -- to not just get a woman through a pregnancy successfully, but to support her (and her partner) in stepping into a new role in her life. I was hungry for that larger, more encompassing vision of what I was about to get into, especially as I have no family or women role models in my local life here. I wanted to be held and cared for as I became a mother. This proved the case during all my prenatal care with the 4 midwives. Going to each appointment was such a pleasure -- a highlight of my week. They truly support you not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually also. I loved attending the bi-weekly women's group also, a casual but meaningful way to sit in circle with other pregnant women and learn, share, ask, and prepare, hosted by their terrific doulas. Also did their prenatal group class with my husband -- extremely educational. I was able to make all my choices during prenatal care, always asking their advice but ultimately making my own decisions (eg, no ultrasounds after the first very early one - I felt intuitively that my baby did not want / like them, no glucose drink test, I did a fasting blood sugar test instead, etc etc). To those who are wondering: yes, you do all the same blood tests, ultrasounds (if you want them), and conventional tests with midwives that you'd do with an Ob-Gyn. You do not need both. If even the slightest question arises that they can't answer, they'll send you to an Ob-Gyn or whoever you need to see. When the time came for my birth, I asked one of the wonderful doulas to be with me and my husband at home during most of the labor. She empowered my husband to be my main carer for those hours, and gave great help in a very spacious and caring way. Two of the center's four midwives were present at the actual birth and they cared for us with tremendous professionalism and heart; by the time the birth day came, I felt like they were family. I could have told them, or done anything, and would have had no self consciousness. This led me to be incredibly open and strong. I also hired one of the doulas to be my 'post partum' doula, visiting me at home 2 hours a day for 5 days. She really helped me establish breastfeeding successfully and nurtured my new family in a very conscious way. (Do you see what I mean about them helping you step into the role of mother?) Birth is the most intensely demanding experience a woman will likely ever go through, so it's wise to feel into yourself to know what you'll feel most comfortable with. Some women might prefer the white coats and machines and feel safer with more intervention. For me, the midwife route was a truly exceptional fit. (To be honest, the thought of a hospital birth made me much more nervous; that said, I was very glad they had such extensive experience and of course the close proximity to Cottage Hospital does assuage fears one may have.) My husband was equally impressed; he's taken to telling people, "I don't think a facility like this exists anywhere else in the country." Whether that's the case or not, we felt very blessed to have found them. read more

So I have not given birth yet (I'm only 19 weeks!) but having had two appointments at the birth center I know that whatever my birth story ends up like, I will be happy that I chose to transfer here. While nothing is "wrong" with OBGYNs and hospitals, I always felt like I was a patient just being treated/monitored for the "condition of pregnancy" when I went in for my 5 minute appointment. After my very first appointment at the birth center I feel like I am a woman who is made to be pregnant and give birth! It's a beautiful, natural, wonderful thing we are able to do and it should be treated as such, not monitored. Our bodies are made to do this, let's stop pretending like it's a disease or something. I look forward to the support I will receive no matter what ends up happening when the time times. read more

We recently had our baby boy with the midwives at the santa barbara birth center in August of 2013 and couldn't have been happier with our experience. Having a natural pregnancy and an unmedicated birth was important to us and we were able to experience this at the SBBC. Giving birth at the birth center felt like a home away from home and it will forever have a special place in our hearts. We are so thankful to the midwives for helping us have such a beautiful birthing experience! read more

Santa Barbara Birth Center - Midwives Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

I moved from the hospital to the midwives when I was 29 weeks pregnant and I instantly felt a shift in my care. It was so nice to meet with the midwives and talk about what was going on with my pregnancy and in my life. I never felt rushed out of the birth center and I always had all of my questions answered. The environment was calm and relaxed when I was in labor. There were only a few people in and out of my room, all of which I knew very well. My husband and I were both so happy that we made the decision to move my care to the birth center. I couldn't have imagined a better birth story! read more

Santa Barbara Birth Center - My husband and I in the main birth room. ©I Heart My Groom - Midwives Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

After meeting with the midwives during my pregnancy we immediately switch from the current Doctor I was seeing and decided on a home birth with the midwives. My husband and I both felt so at home and supported throughout my pregnancy and still as our baby is five months old. The love, care and support are unmatched! Highly recommend these amazing women! read more

Santa Barbara Birth Center - Midwives Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It is a joy to share this review of the Santa Barbara Birth Center, and more specifically, the Santa Barbara Midwives: Alice, Laurel, Anna and Jenna. When you initially find out that you are pregnant with your first child, one of the many emotions that may come up, is overwhelm. There are so many choices to make, and so many of them may feel foreign. The first question that came to mind for us was, "Who will guide and support us, and our little one, as we navigate this pregnancy and birth?" The second, "Where do we hope that her/his birth will happen - in the hospital, at a birth center, or at home?" After some discussion, my husband and I felt that we would like to explore an out of hospital birth. I have attended three hospital births, all which were beautiful from start to finish. Our interest in having an out of hospital birth was not made with disdain for hospitals or the medical community, but rather a desire for a more intimate, private, soulful birthing experience. My partner and I are acutely aware of the fact that these days, many of us lack the "village" that is so important to bringing new life into this world. On that note we made a decision that we would do our best to create a constellation of support that would guide us on this journey. So, we made the call to scope out the Birth Center. Our first meeting was with Laurel. In short, we were blown away by the connection that occurred. Over the hour it became increasingly clear that working with the Midwives would offer the possibility of building true relationships with wise souls who would not only provide a wealth of expertise, but a sincere investment in helping to empower and educate us. My partner and I knew by the end of this meeting that this was the experience that we were looking for. Over the next 6 months we met regularly with all four Midwives, and over time, built a loving relationship with each. Each Midwife is highly knowledgeable, offers her own viewpoint and also consistently coaches you on making choices that are right for you as a family. Their approach is holistic (emotional, nutritional, physical well being) - we truly felt seen, heard, and educated every step of the way. We had so many questions, and each was answered with knowledge steeped in years of experience. Additionally we had the opportunity to take a birthing class at the Birth Center which was super informative! Highly recommended. When the time came for our little one to arrive, I labored at home mostly. My husband was in touch with Anna all day. She knew the right time to have me come into the Birth Center, and from there I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. :) Seeing Laurel and Anna in action during the birth was something to behold. They were the best birthing coaches a couple could ask for - they held the space with a tremendous amount of love, kindness, structure and guidance and sheesh do they know their stuff! After our little one was born I was not able to birth my placenta. Laurel and Anna balanced with grace, the line between giving me time to try on my own, and also knew when the situation was turning a corner. They made the call that I should transfer to the hospital to have my placenta removed. It was a solid decision, and one that I am grateful for. Anna went with me to the hospital and stood by my side throughout the process. With so much focus on pregnancy and birth, my husband and I hadn't even really considered what happens in the first days and weeks after the baby has arrived. The postpartum care that the Midwives provide was such an important part of our transition into parenthood. Their support, suggestions, and knowledge made ALL the difference for us. Over all the continuity of care and expertise that we experienced in working with Alice, Anna, Laurel and Jenna was truly incredible!!! Santa Barbara is lucky to have such a phenomenal group of Midwives and Birth Center in its midst. read more

I feel so fortunate to have had my baby at the Birth Center this past November. Though I did not start out thinking I wanted an unmedicated birth, I decided to take the plunge after meeting the midwives and seeing their beautiful facility. These four women are incredible, and I couldn't imagine a better way to experience pregnancy than under their amazing care. I had a lot of anxiety about childbirth, and was immensely helped by the physical AND emotional support the birth center provided. From giving me many suggestions about how to keep my pregnancy low-risk during my hour-long appointments to organizing bi-monthly meetings for soon-to-be mothers to gather and talk, the birth center offered so many more benefits than simple OBGYN visits/hospital care. When the time came, I was able to utilize the birthing tub and separate shower during labor, and give birth in a king-sized bed with my husband by my side. It was the most amazing moment of my life, and there's nothing about it I would change--the birth center provided me with an exceptional experience. read more

These Midwives are caring professionals that hold such a high value to patient care. I refer my patient's to them for maternity care and have used them myself for the birth of my son. Dr. NIcole Barry, D.C. read more

My husband summed it up best when he described the experience to our family and friends afterwards, "It's just like going to a good friend's house to have your baby." The Santa Barbara midwives and the Birth Center are the epitome of a strong community into which you want to bring a child. I would say that the most significant difference from the pregnancy and hospital birth of my first child is that the midwives support the whole mama throughout the process and even after the birth. Each hour-long appointment allows time for discussion about a variety of topics from nutrition to how to achieve balance while pregnant and beyond so that you maintain fulfillment as a mother, spouse, and still have time for yourself. These ladies fill you with joy about what is to come, really listen to your emotions, hug you when you feel overwhelmed, and nurture you each step of the way. They genuinely want to get to know your spouse and other children. The birth center itself is so different from a hospital room. Here, the setting is intimate. You can have low light and your own music, a large bed where your spouse can lie with you, and the peace and calm of a bedroom. I wish every mother could experience her pregnancy and birth the way I did with the Santa Barbara midwives. read more

My wife and I had our baby in September 2015, at home, with the assistance of the lovely midwives from the SB Birth Center. We will definitely use them again if we have another child here. The whole experience, from the first prenatal visit to the birth itself and the postnatal care, was really wonderful. Since we met so often with the midwives throughout the entire pregnancy, we felt like we really knew and trusted them all, so we were really comfortable with them when it came time for the actual birth. As other people have mentioned, we always felt like we had their full attention, and it was really clear that they wanted us to understand everything they were doing and to answer our questions completely. They really helped us participate in the whole process. Even now, a month after our son was born, we are still in touch with the midwives and they are helping us adjust to our new rhythm of life. We love you guys! read more

If you want a natural, empowered birth experience guided by an incredible team of wise, caring women then Santa Barbara Birth Center is the place for you! Each of the midwives offer an incredible depth of knowledge and a genuine connection with you as the mother and your family. Appointments last an hour, so you get to know and trust each of the midwives before your birth. You can share any of your concerns and ask all of your questions. You can talk about your life with them and receive their wisdom. There are also many incredible birth assistants on staff, who will share their knowledge with you as well at the bi-monthly mother's classes should you attend these. There is a small library of books and movies to help you prepare for birth as well as motherhood. There are also other classes offered to help prepare you as well. The approach is natural and holistic. Nutrition, emotional wellness, and familial/community support are encouraged. The midwives trust deeply that a woman's body knows how to give birth, and they support the body's intuition. If medical intervention beyond their scope is necessary, they have a great relationship with the Hospital and can transfer you if needed ( a rarity). The midwives listen to you, your body, and your baby. Birth here is done with your birth vision in highest regard. Our daughter was born in a quiet room with the sound of the ocean waves (noise machine) into the birthing tub. Guidance was given and suggestions were made calmly and gently, with respect to my wishes and my labor process. No machines were ever strapped to me. Nothing was inserted into my body. No drugs were used. Is labor and delivery hard as hell? Yes! But done without the fear of unnecessary interventions, done in the presence of those you highly trust and know, it is a completely different experience than conventional hospital birth. I know this because my first birth was in the hospital, and even though it was as natural as possible, it was surrounded by fear and largely by strangers. And machines. I don't believe that is how a woman gives birth in an empowered way. My first experience was full of fear, and I did not handle the pain well at all. I believe my 2nd labor/delivery went so well because of how much I trusted the midwives and felt prepared in a completely different was to give birth again. I know the idea of giving birth without pain medication can be scary at first, and I'm not claiming that it is easy, but I am claiming that it is worth it. To be able to labor how the body want's to labor; to be able to choose positions, be among wise women, be in a peaceful setting with people who trust you to do what you need to do, to be able to push not lying flat on your back but in the position your body works well in, whatever that may be.... to have those first moments with your baby flooded with amazing joy because the body naturally produces incredible levels of connecting hormones and because your baby enters the world bright eyed and alert, to be able to breastfeed well right away ... there is nothing better! read more

Our experience at the Santa Barbara Birth Center was nothing short of outstanding, but not because we even had our precious baby there. After seven months of working closely with the wonderful staff of midwives and doulas, we learned that our baby would not be healthy enough to have at the Birth Center, so the midwives just altered the plan for us and stayed true to us the entire way through. The midwives at SBBC were there for us in every way, physically and emotionally, even though our birthing experience was wholly different than we had hoped for and expected. These women celebrate the fragile and beautiful process of birth and help everyone else to understand what is happening all through the birthing process. Whether it's a first time pregnancy or many times later, we highly recommend the SBBC midwives to help you bring your baby into the world. Our baby is doing great now and we couldn't be happier - looking forward to giving our second a try at the SBBC! read more

We had our baby boy in December of 2013. I could not have asked for a better experience. The midwives prenatal care is outstanding, and as a first time mother, I received so much support for all of the questions I had. My birth experience couldn't have been any better either. I had the most amazing birth with the freedom to labor how I wanted. I also really love that they come to your home 4 separate times during the 1st week after your baby is born to check in on you and the baby. You really feel supported. I would change nothing about my experience if I had to so it all over. I recommend these ladies to everyone who is expecting or trying. They truly are amazing. read more

The Birth Center is a gem in our community. The midwives' professionalism and caring attention to each woman they serve is outstanding. I started out with an OB before switching to the Birth Center and immediately noticed the difference between the ten to fifteen minute appointments I got with my OB and the hour long appointments I got with the midwives. They never seemed rushed and wanted to make sure everything got covered in our visits. The Birth Circles and Group Pre-natal visits were extremely helpful in preparing for childbirth and feeling surrounded by a supportive community. I highly recommend the Birth Center. read more

Our experience with the Santa Barbara Midwives was stellar! We love them! They became such a part of our lives during my pregnancy. Their attention to YOU, baby, Daddy and family is how it should be - 1 hour long appointments - and many visits with all 4 of them leading up to the delivery! Their facility is beautiful, bright and clean! This is the way to go if you want a natural, out of the hospital birth! I miss them and already look forward to working with them again some day soon :) read more

wonderful warm loving women helping bring the newest generation of cutie pies into our world!!! You all are amazing...!

These amazing midwives have walked with us through all three of our pregnancies and now feel like part of our family. The bond you form with these women throughout your pregnancy and then in labor is truly special. You have actual time during each of your appointments to have all of your questions answered thoroughly and build a relationship of trust that will comfort and support you during labor. Being surrounded by people I trusted and knew meant everything to me during such significant events in my life. The care you will receive from these midwives is second to none and you will never feel more nurtured or loved during your special time than at the Santa Barbara Birth Center. read more