It is a core belief at The Birth Center that pregnancy and birth are normal, healthy events in the life of a family. We treat families with respect and acknowledge them as capable of making choices that fit their values, beliefs, and lifestyles. Although birth experiences vary as much as the babies that are born here, there is a common thread that most women have--personalized, professional care. We think it makes for a nice way for a family to be born.
Right now there is a five-day-old gorgeous creature sleeping
serenely on the couch. I’ve also got a 2 ½ year old
napping in her toddler bed and a 4 ½ year old up to
something suspiciously quiet in the playroom: all of them
bright and beautiful girls with eyes of the sea. Let’s
not forget the happy husband home from work hanging about as
well. Our house is not always this peaceful. The decibel
level jumps up exponentially when everyone is awake and
playing, fighting, singing, dancing, screaming, etc. But
it’s always this blessed. It’s hard to even begin to
describe how blessed we are to have Sylvia join our crazy
home. She has been a part of it already, of course, since we
first found out of her existence about 9 months ago. We’ve
been watching her grow, feeling her kicks, talking all about
her and preparing a place for her. My belly has received
lots and lots of kisses from her daddy and...
Lillian Renee
a couple days old
On July 3rd our lives forever changed, we were expecting.
From the beginning I knew I wanted an un-medicated birth
and not in a hospital. After discussing this with my OBGYN
she informed me of the Bradley Method. It was a 12 week
course that focused on preparing your mind and body for
natural child birth through relaxation. It was through
Janet, the instructor, that I became familiar with The Birth
Center. Switching my care over to Ruth at The Birth Center
was one of the best decisions I had made. Immediately
Jason and I fell in love with the staff and facility and I
knew this would be the place I would have my daughter.On
Monday February 27th is when I started noticing changes in
the way my body felt. I began to have sporadic cramping
and contractions simultaneously. By the next day they had
passed. I felt more energetic and active.
Lillian Renee
one month old
Knowing the birth...
The birth story of my third baby really begins with the
birth of his older sister and brother. Pregnancy and birth
is an amazing and beautiful time, a natural part of the
cycle of life. Women were designed to carry babies in the
womb, nourish them, and birth them. It is natural, it is
normal, and it is not a medical phenomenon to be
“treated”. Before I was even pregnant with my first
born, I knew I wanted to bring my baby into I knew I
wanted to bring my baby into this world with as little
intervention as possible…but what exactly did that mean?
I would soon find out just how challenging a “natural
and normal” birth experience could be without the
supportive like-minded environment that every woman and baby
deserves.
My first born, beautiful little girl was born in Southern
California with an OBGYN, a hospital, a nurse pit crew,
Pitocin, and a whole lot of unnecessary angst. I didn’t
fully realize the power of...
Holly Miller and family after birth at the Sacramento Brrth
Center Our experience at *The Birth Center* was AMAZING!
With this being our third and last child we wanted to try an
“alternative” birthing process. Being referred to The
Birth Center by a friend was a Godsend.
My labor began at home around 2:00am on October 18, 2011. I
was able to stay at home for the first part of my labor
until 5:00am. When my husband, 11 year old daughter, 9
year old son and I arrived at The Birth Center I was at 9
centimeters. That was when the contractions became more
intense. My husband was right there so I could squeeze his
hands through each one. What worked best for me was standing
and breathing through my contractions. I personally
couldn’t find any other comfortable position even though
the staff offered many with multiple devices. It was very
peaceful at The Birth Center with minimal noise and dim
lights. Ruth, Jen and Christa...
Melissa and Gardner with new baby Everett born at the
Sacramento Birth Center I started seeing Ruth at the Birth
Center for care during the 20th week of my 2nd pregnancy. I
was excited to be preparing for an out of hospital birth,
but I had concerns as well. Ruth put my fears at ease right
away, and through all my prenatal appointments helped me to
mentally prepare for a great birth experience.
I had been having braxton-hicks contractions off and on for
weeks. A few days after my due date on the evening of June
11th, I began having noticeable contractions. A couple hours
in I started timing them and realized they were consistently
8 minutes apart. I had a snack and watched TV on the birth
ball for a few hours then went to bed. I was able to sleep,
but awoke at 5 AM to a popping noise. I had a good suspicion
that my water had broke. Almost immediately my...