How About a Birth Center in Sedona, AZ?

I am excited to announce that Arizona is moving up in the “birth choices” world–there is not one, but two free-standing birth centers that are about to open their doors for business in Phoenix. This is huge, because there has not been a free-standing birth center there (or anywhere even remotely close) in geez, who knows HOW many years. I think it’s great that women will have more birth choices, and I am very excited to see how business is. My very own midwife, and close friend (and backup midwife should I need her) Diane Bajus, CNM is an integral part of the soon-to-be-licensed Blossom Birth and Wellness Center. This facility will combine her expertise (she’s also an amazing herbalist) with that of Nichelle Whitehead, MD and Mary Langlois, LM. A truly collaborative effort that I am sure will appeal to many women that perhaps aren’t quite homebirthers but aren’t wanting to birth at the hospital, either. Yay!

All this birth center talk has gotten me to start thinking of the obvious. Yes, a birth center right here in beautiful Sedona, Arizona. This is one of the most popular tourist spots probably in the world; especially for those that favor beautiful scenery and a New Agey sort of vibe, complete with vortexes (not sure if that is really the plural of vortex, but whatever) and all. The main tourism industry here is probably the hotels/spas, so it’s a good guess to say those that visit come to relax, and be pampered. The same ideology could surround a potential birth center. Picture a luxurious yet comfortable birthing suite, in a secluded location with only the best of everything. It may be a place that women would travel to be at, sort of like a really nice, relaxing vacation that also includes having a baby! It’s possible, for sure, as there aren’t many birthing options this far from the big city (we’re about 2 hours from Phoenix). Here, a woman can choose the mediocre small-town hospital treatment (4 OBs on staff) or yours truly if desiring a homebirth..not a whole lot of choice locally. Plus, this is what I consider a pretty conservative place, and although I am keeping my one woman practice in business, I think a birth center would do extremely well. Because the truth is, in my opinion, most women here are not ready for homebirths. In fact, part of my own practice has become consulting and midwifery care for women here that are actually planning hospital births. And these are the perfect women for birthing at a birth center! Those that want midwifery care, but are truly more comfortable either outside their own homes or more comfortable with perhaps the illusion of a birth center being more “credible” or more “medical”. The perfect in- between choice.

So, the idea’s out there…but the implementation? Honestly, I have no idea right now. It’s the kind of thing I’d love to do, and I think pieces will slowly fall into place as the Universe sees fit. It’s definitely something I’d want to do collaboratively as well; ideally, I’d keep my homebirth practice AND still be able to lovingly raise 5 kids! So, yes, Sedona…you shall be home to more birth choices…possibly an amazing birth center that thrives and flourishes in these beautiful Red Rock foothills. Now that the idea has been proposed to Spirit, we’ll see what happens. It may be sooner than I think…..