Why Vermont Needs a Birth Center
What is a Freestanding Birth Center?
A freestanding birth center is a health care facility designed specifically for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, operating outside of the hospital setting. Care is provided within the midwifery model, which prioritizes prevention, education, and support for the natural process of birth. While birth centers focus on healthy, low-risk pregnancies, they remain part of the broader health care system, with strong connections to hospitals and specialists when higher-level care is needed.
In a birth center, families receive comprehensive and personalized reproductive care. This includes prenatal visits, health screenings, education, and preparation for labor, as well as hands-on support throughout birth and immediate postpartum recovery. Newborns receive required screenings and breastfeeding support, with follow-up visits available at home or in the center. The environment is intentionally comfortable and home-like, creating space for families to participate fully while still maintaining safety standards and emergency readiness.
Birth center care results in:
- Safe, evidence-based outcomes for low-risk pregnancies
- Fewer medical interventions and more support for natural birth
- High family satisfaction with personalized, relationship-based care
- A comfortable, home-like setting that promotes calm and confidence
- Cost-effective maternity care
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What is the Midwifery Model of Care?
Midwifery has deep historical roots, shaped by culture, tradition, science, and wisdom. Over time, it has developed from a community-based practice into a regulated health profession with defined competencies, education standards, and professional accountability. Today, midwives are recognized globally as essential providers of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health care.
The foundation of midwifery is a respectful partnership between midwife and client. Care is built on trust, collaboration, and shared decision-making, with the birthing person at the center of all choices. Midwives provide individualized, continuous care that avoids unnecessary interventions and affirms pregnancy and birth as normal physiological events. This approach prioritizes dignity, human rights, cultural respect, and self-determination.
Midwifery care is holistic, considering the physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of health. Midwives promote wellness, prevent complications, and empower families through education and advocacy. They work closely with other health professionals when higher-level care is needed and base their practice on evidence, ongoing learning, and appropriate use of technology.
Globally, the midwifery model of care is recognized as safe, effective, and central to achieving universal health coverage. It not only improves outcomes for mothers and babies but also strengthens communities by protecting women’s health, rights, and confidence throughout the childbearing years and beyond.
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Why does Vermont need a birth center and how can you help?
Vermont currently has no freestanding birth centers, which contributes to limited options for those seeking midwifery-led, family-centered care. Many families travel out of state to access care. This gap affects birthing families seeking personalized and low-intervention care, and contributes to the loss of skilled midwives from our local workforce. Establishing a birth center in Vermont would provide safe, high-quality care close to home, support physiologic birth, and strengthen the community by keeping families and providers connected.
You can help make a Vermont birth center a reality. Consider supporting the effort through donations via our website, supporting the Birth Center Coalition, or participating in community events that raise awareness and bring families together. Every contribution helps families across Vermont have access to the care they deserve.
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What is Vermont’s new birth center law?
Vermont approved legislation in 2025 allowing the licensing and operation of freestanding birth centers.
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