Giving Thanks in December!… November was very busy at Best Start Birth Center and I didn’t get a chance to write a November blog giving THANKS!!!… I want to pause and and take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to be in our new facility and to appreciate the midwives and support staff that enable Best Start Birth Center to provide out of hospital care to San Diego women and their families. We want to especially express our gratitude and appreciation to our Best Start midwives and birth assistants who are committed to preserving natural birth outside of the hospital.
Best Start Birth Center has been state licensed since 1993 and nationally accredited since 1994. Every three years, Best Start undergoes re-accreditation to maintain national accreditation. Compliance with American Association of Birth Center Standards is required for licensure as an “alternative birthing center”, in California. Accreditation ensures continual quality improvement- this past November Best Start completed our national accreditation site visit.
Best Start Birth Center was a model birth center for CMS’s Strong Start study and the results are very telling and optimistic. If our nation would embrace the right of women to be treated with dignity and respect during birth, national maternal outcomes would greatly improve. CMS Strong Start Findings revealed no racial disparities for women who gave birth in accredited birth center settings. Best Start is a model for excellent prenatal, birth, postpartum, and Well Woman care performed solely by midwives. Best Start rejoices in birth as a normal, joyous event rather than a medical event and studies reveal excellent outcomes for pregnant women who receive midwifery care in licensed, and nationally accredited birth centers.
“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life”. – Rumi