I've looked at the reviews for the Allen Birthing Center here on this site, and they look great. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who had used them and what you thought. I want to hear as much as I can! We just went there yesterday and fell in love with it. I had my first at a birth center in Oregon and have wanted to find one similar...and I think I have. Anyway, just asking for any opinions/experiences.
That you so much for your responses. I have NEVER heard a bad thing about them! That is awesome. I think we've pretty much settled that we are going to go there. We are currently seeing an OBGYN in Dallas. She is supportive of natural birth, but the hospital is poorly equipped for it (no birthing tubs, no anything really!). Plus, a hospital is soooo different than a birthcenter or home. We have our ultrasound coming up. If all looks good with the baby, we'll be going to the birth center. Our first daughter had a major heart defect requiring open heart surgery right after birth. So, we have to rule that out before we can do a birth center birth.
Thank you for your responses. I can't believe you had your baby in your car! haha! Thank goodness it happened to someone who was wanting a natural birth. Glad everything went well and thanks again. I hope so badly everything looks good with this baby. I keep dreaming about the birth center...
I have heard nothing but good things about the people there, altho I have never used them for a birth.
C.
I used the midwives there for my home birth in 2006 and I can't say enough great things about them. They made me feel so loved and well-cared for and my birth was amazing. I also have a friend who just delivered there in January at the center and she had a wonderful experience as well. The center does extremely well on all inspections and is just an amazing place. The service they provide our community to moms who want a normal birth are priceless. Email me privately if you want more information!
I had my first child at the Allen Birthing Center in November. If I have another child, I would be excited about the opportunity to have another baby there. And excited about getting to go there for prenatal visits. So different from going for OB/GYN visits. Usually my husband and I were the only clients there when we had our visits... no waiting. The atmosphere is great, warm and cozy. For example when they drew blood at the beginning it was at the kitchen table. We never felt rushed at prenatal visits and always had plenty of time to ask any questions about anything, I'd say each visit was 30-45 minutes or so. My birth experience was exactly what I wanted, a natural birth with positive support. The midwife that cared for me and caught my baby was awesome, Becky Burpo. Amy Giles was the midwife we saw for most of our prenatal visits and she's awesome, too. Everything went smoothly and I was able to labor any way I wanted. I prepared a birth plan with the information and assistance my doula provided to make sure I knew my options and would know what I wanted. The midwives respected, supported and honored my choices. I think birth plans inform moms of choices, but also it seems they are mandatory to help you get the birth you desire in a hospital setting. At the Allen Birthing Center it was more of a communication tool. They honored every single decision I made and I would not change one thing about the birth. I would recommend the Allen Birthing Center to ANYONE wishing to birth their baby naturally in a supportive environment. In addition, during birthing my baby I got/had (however you say that) a hematoma. It was handled professionally and efficiently by Becky. I am very thankful I was educated about my choices and found such supportive, caring people to be there as I birthed my beautiful baby! I kinda wish I was in your shoes... getting ready to start that journey again with the opportunity relive that entire experience. If you choose the Allen Birthing Center you will be supported, your choices will be honored and your care will be in the hands of professional, caring midwives.
I switched to the Allen Birthing Center at 32 weeks and was so glad I made that decision. I had my first child in Virginia and the hospitals there were much more incouraging of natural labors..such as providing labor balls, birthing bars, allowing you to labor outside of the bed. But I have found in Texas specifically the presby system is not very helpful when it is in regards to the things a woman needs to do when she prefers to labor naturally. I really loved the ABC and all of the midwives. I think there is a new one since I delivered 9 months ago. I cannot say so much for the delivery experience only because I was the first to deliver out in the car and only made it inside for the postpartum experience. I never would have made it to the hospital. I felt so strongly about delivering at the birthing center we were willing to pay the possibly higher amount since it was considered out of network with our insurance. If I have a third child I would definately do it at the Allen birthing center again...or have them help me with a home birth. I don't really want another birth in the car! Good luck.
I also thought I would mention that there are some birth centers in Dallas that were on our insurance as in network but call it mothers intuition...I guess I knew we wouldn't make it so I did not even consider them.
