Our Community Is Your Community
Columbia Birth Center:
Where birth is a normal life event
The Experience You Deserve
Clients love our sensitive, empowering, and supportive approach to childbirth. From the moment you arrive, you’ll appreciate the individualized care you receive from the midwives.
Here To Help All Women
Why would you want to give birth in a birth center instead of a hospital?
The birth center is:
Small, intimate, calm, and home-like
Warm and supportive, welcoming of your family and friends
Attended by people you know (your midwife and support people you choose)
Free from routine or unnecessary procedures that carry some risks for healthy women
Safe, clean, and prepared for the most common birth complications
Less expensive - especially important for those whose insurance requires co-insurance
A place where birth is celebrated as a major life transition rather than a medical event
At Columbia Birth Center, we begin seeing clients before the standard 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. As soon as a positive pregnancy test has been confirmed, we are here to set up your first visit. Starting at five weeks, we can begin appointments and focus on diet and exercise.
Why a Midwife?
Midwives are experts in normal birth and pregnancy, are trained to recognize variations from the normal, and can treat such problems or refer the woman to other specialists as needed.
Midwives offer:
Personalized care and longer appointments
Evidence-informed care from midwives who are up to date on the latest medical and midwifery research
Shared decision-making as you work together with your midwives to make decisions about your care
The same small group of midwives care for mother and baby throughout pregnancy, labor, and post-partum
Appropriate use of technologies
Is it safe?
Numerous studies show that birth in a birth center is as safe or safer than at a hospital if:
The woman has had a healthy pregnancy
The woman is cared for by a midwife or doctor who is skilled and experienced in community birth
There are hospital facilities close by which welcome women who transfer to a hospital because they need a medical procedure
Columbia Birth Center has strict safety policies and all the emergency equipment and medications required for licensure by the State Department of Health. It is also nationally accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. These ensure the highest standard of care for women and babies.
Safe. Personal. Empowering.
Since 2022, over 200 Washington families have chosen Columbia Birth Center in Richland for prenatal care that is safe, personal, and empowering. Columbia Birth Center began in 1998 with its original location in Kennewick. You can see a glimpse of the history of Columbia Birth Center and our families HERE.
Columbia Birth Center is licensed by the State of Washington's Department of Health. Columbia Birth Center is 200 feet from Kadlec Regional Medical Center and less than 20 minutes from Trios Southridge Hospital should a transfer be required.
In September, 2021, Columbia Birth Center began making the move to its new location, 948 Stevens Drive in Richland. Learn more about our new center here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/more-about-birth/id1493249112
https://www.yaktrinews.com/columbia-birth-center-to-reopen-in-new-location/
In March 2024, Columbia Birth Center proudly announced its accreditation. This accreditation, bestowed by the esteemed Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), positions Columbia Birth Center as the sole accredited birth center in Eastern Washington and one of a select 117 nationwide.
Columbia Birth Center
Richland, WA
Accredited since 2024
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Accreditation
Experience a Safe, Personal, & Empowering Natural Birth at Columbia Birth Center
Find out if we’re a good fit for you and your family.