Had an absolutely horrible birthing experience here in 2013. Something I can never live with peacefully. They are not an all natural birthing center, they heavily push vaccines while pregnant and groom you to come to terms that you will most likely end up in the hospital giving birth. I ended up in the hospital after a small leak (not a water break, the leak stopped immediately). Was given cytotek and then was given pitocen when labor did not start within 48 hours of my leak. After two days of induced labor a nurse exclaimed that my water had not even broken yet. It was absolutely a terrible experience and the bedside manner of the staff was even more terrible. After my eventual birth (leak on Thursday, birth on Monday- 5 days, ended in cesarean) my midwife (Kat) told me, and I quote, "most of the midwives that work here end up giving birth in the hospital." I also want to add that I was on fluids for 4 days while being induced. My son was obviously born with extra fluid on him, and subsequently lost it the day after he was born. Because of the weight difference, I was forced by the staff to give him formula while I was waiting for my milk to come in (it came in in the normal two days). Do NOT go here. There are better options out there. I had a vback at MgH of all places and the natural experience there was a completely different, amazing experience. read more

I adore this Birth Center. The care here is amazing and what a beautiful environment to experience a birth. (water births are an option!!) The staff is top notch and compassionate - words just can not speak enough about this hidden gem for families that want to experience a natural birthing experience!~ If you are interested in having the potential to have a natural birth with some say in what you want then this is the place for your experience!~ Great Midwives and nursing staff, and the center is right across the culdesac from the hospital where there is a great OB/ CNM team as well. Worth your time to check it out if out of hospital birthing is something you would like to experience!~ read more

Beware, if you are choosing midwifery care because you don't want an obstetrician unilaterally making decisions about your pregnancy, then The Cambridge Birth Center is NOT for you! Their supervising obstetricians will dismiss patients from their midwife's care without so much as meeting or examining them. I was just unexpectedly subject to this treatment for my current, completely normal and uncomplicated pregnancy, despite having midwives at another practice (Mt Auburn) care for me throughout my previous complicated pregnancy. I am now faced with having to find a new prenatal provider over half-way through my pregnancy. I am devastated and beyond upset. It's a shame that someone who has never even met me gets to make decisions about my body and birth. ********** Update: The midwife is now flat out refusing to give me the name of the Obstetrician who she shared my medical information with and who made decisions about my medical care. You can add having my patient rights violated to my complaints. read more

UPDATE: Heard back from someone regarding birth certificate. Hopefully we can resolve this now We had a good experience with the birth center. The midwife was available to answer any questions throughout my wife's pregnancy. During the actual labor and birth, they were supportive - we had options to use the big tub or bed. My only disappointment has been with the birth certificate office. It's been over two weeks now since my son was born and I've been trying to get in touch with the people in charge of birth certificates. I always get transferred to her voicemail. I inquired and was told one of them was on vacation and I could leave a message for the other lady on call. I call almost everyday but never get a call back. I'm concerned that my son can't get health insurance or file for a ssn without this information. read more

Incredibly unresponsive. Terrible experience. Vbac- you will HAVE to birth in the hospital. No question. During my first trimester I experienced some bleeding and began to panic that I was miscarrying. I was sent to the emergency room by the midwife on call and promised that the midwife associated with my pregnancy would call me. She did not. I called her, as she was the only one with my ultrasound results and could tell me what was going on. I was told she was busy and would call me back. Long story short, I left Nikki 3-4 messages and never once received a call back and had to talk to various on call midwives who didn't have access to my ultrasound, and opposing advice (bed rest/ Keep working out/ partial bed rest/ continue as normal) just to calm me down bc I was worried I was miscarrying. A WEEK went by and she never ever called. Needless to say, I changed practices. The new practice was horrified that my ultrasound results had just been floAting for over a week without my knowing the results and I was still bleeding. Fortunately, I found the proper and prompt care any mother deserves and baby is ok. Vbac patients- you can't have your baby in the house at all anyway. If this matters to you, I suggest trying New Hampshire if it's not too far. read more

Disappointed in how unresponsive they are. Would be worried to be in labor and they don't respond.

I can't say enough nice things about the Cambridge Birth Center. I gave birth in February 2010 to a ridiculously healthy baby girl. The midwives there were wonderful, caring, and knowledgeable. One of the midwives actually teared up a bit after my daughter was born which surprised me! You'd think they'd be so used to seeing births. I felt very very cared for. They spent a LOT of time with me after my birth helping me to breast feed (I had a lot of trouble). I look back to just after my daughter's birth with so much fondness. My husband sleeping next to me on the very comfortable queen-sized bed with our daughter between us. I couldn't sleep, heh, I just kept staring at her. It was a really wonderful slice of time for me. They didn't let us leave until we felt ready to go home. Later, when I went back for a follow-up appointment and mentioned that I was still having a really hard time breastfeeding, one of the midwives brought me into a room and spent another hour or two with me until I felt comfortable. Before & after (and during) my daughter's birth, the midwives always took their time and never rushed me during appointments. I'm really glad that I had a natural childbirth and so so so happy I had my baby there. If you're even half thinking about doing a natural childbirth (which I highly HIGHLY recommend!), you couldn't do better than Cambridge Birth Center. (I also recommend hypnobirthing. I took a class at Isis in Arlington.) read more

An amazing place to give birth if you're able to do it. It's pretty advanced in the sense that as a general rule they won't admit you until you're in active labor, and then they'll hustle to discharge you as soon as 6 hours after birth -- which is great if all goes perfectly and you're ready for that level of independence. With my first child I needed a little more support both before and after the birth so I ended up across the street at the hospital, but I had my second child at the Birth Center, and I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful and empowering experiences of my life. I felt so well taken care of and totally free to be myself at every moment. The midwives here are exceptional in that they truly make every effort to give you the birth experience you want. I also want to give special acknowledgement to nurse Bronwyn Mastrangelo who clearly has a deep passion for this work and was like a guardian angel to me throughout my delivery. If you're looking for a home-birth-like experience and you're prepared to do the early stages of laboring at home, but you still want the security of hospital resources nearby, this is the place for you. read more

I gave birth to my first babygirl here in 2008 because it was the only place close by that supported a natural water birth. I had a great experience then, so I decided to come back this year for the birth of my second baby girl. WARNING: May be a bit TMI for some... I had a very normal, low risk pregnancy. Once I was finally in active labor, they admitted me and I went straight into the birthing tub to cope with the pain. About 30-45 mins later at 9.5 cm dilated my water broke, and thank God my midwife noticed the slightest bit of meconium. They immediately called over to the hospital, dried me up and wheeled me over to the maternity suite across the street. When I arrived, the nurses and a pediatrician were already waiting for us in the room. The baby was born with the cord wrapped around her neck twice and ingested meconium as well; she was born not breathing. They had to do CPR and give her oxygen to get her breathing started. It was the scariest moment of my life and I can't thank the midwives at the Cambridge Birth Center enough for making the decision to transfer me when they noticed the tiniest tinge of meconium. I'm afraid to even think about what may have happened had they just brushed it off. read more

If a home birth is appealing, but makes you a little nervous, the Cambridge Birth Center provides an absolutely wonderful alternative. It's very homey and comfortable with the added bonus of a terrific, thoughtful, talented staff. Our amazing son was born in the big-ass tub at the birth center in the wee hours of a December night in 2011. We couldn't have asked for a more positive, peaceful experience. I was fortunate to arrive at 7 cm, but wish that I had been earlier, as laboring in the tub was much more manageable. I don't want to say the birth was easy, but I was "in the zone" and almost surprised that I was done and holding my sweet little boy. My awesome midwife, nurse, and a doula seemed to fade into the background, giving us precious time to take in the moment. The three of us curled up together in the comfortable bed and and had a lovely rest, before heading home before the baby was 12 hours old, after the pediatrician had checked him out. The midwife called me at home twice to check in and a nurse was sent a couple of days later to check us both out. We were very well cared for from start to finish at the Cambridge Birth Center and I can't recommend it more highly. read more

I LOVE this place. After a not so stellar home birth with a kooky midwife for my first daughter, I opted for the CBC for my second child. I had wonderful prenatal care and so much love and gentle support during the birth. The staff is amazing! Highly recommend. read more

I had two babies at CBC. The midwives there are great. They are caring and focus on you. If you are looking for an unmedicated birth this is the place for you. The midwives give you the support and tools you need to do it. I can't imagine birthing in a hospital after doing it at CBC. read more

Very nice and loving place! Staff is very welcoming and the atmosphere is very calm and relaxing. We planed to have natural birth at the Birth center but end up being at the hospital since my blood pressure was little high. Why birth center and natural birth? I wanted more personal one on one setting and try to have all natural water birth. I am definitely not one of hippy like earthy people but we chose this place mainly because there was an option of water birth and midwifes. Plus if I could not go trough with natural birth or there would of been complications, I could transfer to the hospital right away. The place is very nice. On the second floor they have 3 rooms with connecting bathrooms and tubs for water birth, very home like setting with queen size beds and wooden floors, plus a kitchen on the first floor.They have a small waiting area on 2nd floor and main waiting area downstairs. Only one thing was a little bit bothering me- the appointments always were running late. Since I wasn't working, it didn't really affected me, just needed to work on my patience since usually appointments were on avg 30 min late. Even tough I ended having birth in hospital, I recommend this place to everyone. You can always stop by and check it out, plus they have once a month open door night where you meet the midwifes,can ask all the questions and have a tour in Birth center and the hospital as well. We are definitely coming back for our next baby/babys :) PS birth in hospital exceeded all my expectations, I got nothing but good things to say about it. I will be leaving my review under Cambridge hospital about it. read more

I had my adorable baby girl at this center in December 2010 and it was exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted a 100% natural birth from day one and the birth center was the place to have that in the Boston area! The facility is like a comfy home which puts you at ease as soon as you walk in, as does the fact that the hospital is so close just in case. The nurses and midwives are amazing, listening to your wishes and providing the best care possible. I was able to brith in the huge tub and the queen size bed in whatever positions I wanted. After giving birth my husband and I were able to curl up in bed with baby and take a much needed rest. We were able to leave as soon as we wanted to (after the required few hours) but were not rushed at all. The nurses were so knowledgeable and gave great advice and info to this first time mom. I just can't say enough about the birth center and everytime I look at my little girl it makes me so proud that she was able to come into this world the way I wanted her to. read more