Cambridge Birthing Center or North Shore Birthing Center

mommywannabe2011

My hubbie and I will officially start TTC soon, I just found out that Saints Memorial Medical Center (where my family physician works) has removed its Maternity Care and birthing unit.  My hubbie and I want to have an all natural birth when I get pg and think a birthing center is the best option.  Unfortunately, both birthing centers are about 45 min. away.  Which birthing center is best?  I want to start having my well woman gyno appointments with a midwife so that I will know them well by the time I give birth.  I know that both centers offer this.

christiney06

I was not able to deliver there b/c i had pre-eclampsia and had my son 6wks early....but i have heard really great things about the birth center in beverly. 

MrsLifeofReilly

I'd second the NSBC, I have attended some great births there and have heard of many more wonderful experiences.  The CBC has a pretty high transfer rate to Cambridge Hospital and some very unusual/unsettling regulations.

 Depending on where you're located there are also a couple of great birth centers in southern NH.  Home birth is also an option in MA and we have a lot of great midwives.

missmuffin87

I just happened upon this board i usually post over on the dec moms, but I go to NSBC (and drive an hour and half to get there) - my grandmother actually used to be the director there in the 80s. I reccomend seeing Debbie Black she was my grandmother's student

mommywannabe2011

Thanks for the tips, I would love to have a home birth but my current doctor and my health insurance will not allow it.  Not because I have any problems, but because THEY feel that it is not safe.  I figure a birthing center is the next best thing.

I live in Lowell, MA so southern NH is not too far, as long as the insurance will help pay for it.  I have BCBS.

mommywannabe2011

Thanks.  Good to get advice from someone who knows the place so well.  I think over the summer I will take a practice run over there to see how long it takes and where it is.  I want to do a well woman or preconception counseling appointment first so that I can get to know the place before I finally get pregnant and need to settle on a place.