Puget Sound Midwives & Birth Center

The PSBC midwives were amazing! When I first found out I was pregnant, I was very skeptical about midwifery care and concerned about natural birth. After first meeting with them, I felt so at home and respected in my decisions throughout pregnancy and birth. The midwives not only won my respect as highly qualified care professionals, but also as friends who cared and treated me as a person. My delivery was amazing! Although my water broke at 36 weeks, 5 days (technically their policy to deliver is at 27 weeks), Tonya saw that everything was healthy and had no problem delivering me at the birth center. She and the student-midwife, Allie, were fabulous, making delivery feel like the natural process it is, rather than the hyped-up, high stress event it can often be in the hospital. I plan to have all my other kids here! more

Good: I had a great experience at Puget Sound Birth Center. I had Heika and Traci as my midwives. Andrea was a practicing student. They were wonderful. I originally went to see an OB. I started reading about natural birth and decided I wanted to go more natural, and requested a midwife at the hospital. Each time I went in for an appt, I'd see a different midwife, and it was frustrating not seeing the same person. I calculated, that by the time I'd be almost due, I'd see each of their midwives 2-3 times.... more

Had my son their a little over a month ago. It was more relaxing then having my daughter in the hospital--though I didn't have any medications or complications with her either, I had a larger sense of freedom at PSMBC. I also liked how they were able to deal with emergencies if they were to arise and this helped my fiance to feel comfortable as well since he lost a son during birth with his first wife. I would recommend PSMBC and the staff, Grace, Ali, Valerie, Heike and students over & over again!. They are right off the freeway, easy to access, near the hospital, and are very helpful in making decisions that you might be having a hard time with (if: circumcision, breastfeeding vs. formula feeding) by offering a wealth of info and support. They are also open later than most "traditional" doctors offices so I enjoyed having my man be able to come with me after he got off of work. Great birthing suites felt like home. Wonderful tubs, queen size beds, low lighting and GREAT play room for the little ones!!! more

Our third baby is due to be born at Puget Sound Birth Center with the help of Valerie or Ali any day. The previous two births (both at PSBC with Valerie) have been wonderful, as has been all three prenatal periods- long appointments, midwives and staff who care about you and get to know you, gorgeous birthing suites, and terrific after birth care, including visits at our home. I have never met health care professionals as intelligent, loving, wise and friendly as Valerie and Ali are. Puget Sound Birth Center is a little slice of heaven right here on earth and I feel very blessed that my husband and I and our babies have been able to experience it. more

I had my first child at PSBC in 2003 - I stumbled across the Birth Center after touring several local hospitals and being discouraged by all the 'rules', such as : you can labor in the tub, but not give birth there (liability issues), that you were not allowed to eat during labor, the constant rotation of providers (nurses), and so on and so forth. I have never really looked into midwifery care because, unfortunately, it is not something that is widely discussed or known (or understood) by the general public. When my husband and I first took a tour of PSBC and met with Valerie (Sasson) we instantly felt the difference between midwives and OBs and loved the look and feel of the large, beautifully decorated birth suites. I was pregnant at the same time as four of my friends all of whom chose to have hospital births - all of whom only were allowed short visits with their OBs as opposed to my hour-long visits (sometimes longer!!!) with my midwife and all of whom had C-sections. I'm not condemning hospital births, but if you are looking for personalized prenatal care and want to feel like part of a family when you are in your most vulnerable and beautiful time in your life, PSBC is the way to go. I had a long, tricky labor and my midwife, Heather, was incredible through the entire 55 hour ordeal. She made me feel safe because I never had to question her motives, she continually explained what was happening, and the loving, nurturing care she provided me allowed me to deliver my son without any medical intervention - he was surrounded by love from the moment he was born - not bright lights and medical instruments. I am now pregnant with our second child and there is no other place that I want to be than in the safety and comfort of my Birth Center. more

The most notable difference you'll find with the birth center is the sense of comfort and attentive care, provided in a family friendly environment. They offer long informative appointments that allow you time to ask all your questions but also just some get to know you conversation. The birth center rooms are light, clean and feel more like a bedroom at a very nice hotel, but they also offer home births. The midwives are all so wonderful that 4 months later I miss them already. more