The Minnesota birth center is fantastic! I couldn't recommend them more, they are so attentive, caring, and helpful. The environment is very relaxed. All the midwife's are so great! If you have a concern they really take the time to talk about it, and explain how things work. Ive heard bad stories of IUD placements, mine went so well and smooth. She walked me through what she was doing, offered/and did stop or wait when I asked. By far the best team and people EVER, I couldn't be happier!!! read more

Amazing experience with prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum support. We felt listened to, supported, and cared for each step of the way. I really appreciated the time providers took to fully answer my questions and how many went above and beyond what I expected. Being able to birth my baby in a space where I felt safe and cared for was truly a gift. read more

I absolutely loved my experience at MBC. I felt cared for and supported through my entire pregnancy and delivery. Highly recommend.

I have birthed both of my babies at The Minnesota Birth Center and my husband and I can't stop saying how much we loved our experience there. The prenatal, birthing and postpartum care was extremely holistic, giving me many options as a birthing mother while also following a research based model of care. Every time I went in for a visit all the midwives and scheduling coordinators knew my name when I walked in the door. I always felt like I was walking into my home. Thank you for the wonderful care at MBC! If I was planning on a third (which I am not), I would hands down go back! read more

I transferred into care around 30 weeks because I hoped for a non-hospital birth and I liked what I saw during orientation. I had worried I would not be allowed as many of my hospital based caregivers went back and forth on my gestational diabetes status. (failed the one hour glucose screening, passed the three hour glucose tolerance). I was told a previous practice to monitor my fasting only. At my first appointment, the midwife wasn't that concerned about my blood glucose so I thought everything would be fine and I'd get the kind of birth I wanted. At my second appointment (34 weeks), the midwife I saw was more concerned, especially about my very early glucose screen test. She asked that I test four times a day and bring in the numbers (and the glucometer). At my third appointment I brought in the written diary I keep of my numbers, and my appointment immediately went downhill from there. They are very strict about wanting your fasting glucose numbers to be under 95. (never mind the accepted accuracy of test strips is +/- 15 points, according to the manufacturer). They also want to see the physical meter so they know you're not lying to them. That struck me as odd, because why would anyone lie about something that important? I had 5 values in the last 10 days that were between 95-105, which was considered too high. I left that appointment with instructions to find a diabetic education nurse/endocrinologist, as they had written me a referral. At first, I thought they would refer me to someone, but no, I was expected to find someone on my own. After calling my health insurance to make sure who was covered, and some very helpful people answering the phones at Allina (who were far more supportive than MBC midwife I was working with), one of the diabetic education nurses fit me into her schedule. She reviewed my numbers and talked about them with an endocrinologist, who decided it would benefit me to take metformin for the last few weeks of my pregnancy. The diabetes nurse and endocrinologist both agreed this shouldn't affect my birth plan, as metformin is generally considered safe and really a very mild medication. However, this prescription made me not only ineligible for a birth center delivery (which was my strong preference) but ineligible for care at the birth center at all, not even for a hospital delivery. I was immediately told by MBC that I would need to transfer care to a physician led practice, and they would assist me with that. I don't know if this assistance would have been in person or over the phone. I understand now why patients would lie about their numbers. Any variation makes you high risk and you're dropped, like something toxic. You are no longer considered part of the women who can have an empowered birth. You are only fit for doctors. At no point was it said to me, we don't feel competent to treat you or the risks are too great to the baby or yourself, I was just dropped. It's policy. I feel betrayed, emotionally. Even though I was obviously angry and anxious, their concern is the policy. I was told by the last midwife I talked to that she was just doing her job. Sorting the worthy from the unworthy. I've been contacted a few times to organize the transfer of my care, but I admit that I no longer want any contact with them. I don't feel like I was treated as a woman in a vulnerable situation of overhauling my entire birth plan, just a policy objection. I found my own nurse and endocrinologist, I can find my own OB. read more

I had an excellent experience giving birth at MBC, at the age of 34. The Minneapolis location is a gorgeous Victorian home with tall ceilings, hardwood floors, and chandeliers in the birthing rooms. As an initial matter I liked that everyone has to take off their shoes before entering, what a great way to keep out dirt especially through the winter months. I found the home environment to be really calm and relaxing which I think has a direct effect on your birthing experience (I labored for 8 hours total, 5 at home and 3 at MBC). The hot tub in my room played a big role in relaxing and progressing labor. I may have had a far different outcome had I been hooked up to machines trying to give birth on my back in the clinical atmosphere of a hospital. It seemed really natural to go home after giving birth, I think we were home 6 hours later and I wouldn't have minded going home sooner. Home is where I wanted to rest and be with my baby. An MBC nurse came all the way out to Wisconsin the next day to check on the baby and I. I also took advantage of the Circle classes post-birth, which by listening to everyone in the room I could see how exceedingly important those classes are and how really precarious and difficult those first few days and weeks can be. This type of after care is chronically ignored in this country. Once you become a mother, you realize that giving birth was not hard at all compared to what's to come. The sample birth plan offered as an example by MBC was exactly what I had in mind - I didn't change a thing. MBC was on the same page with the things I had read about, which were evidence-based practices like skin to skin and delayed cord clamping, etc. I didn't realize how lucky I was until hearing not-so-great stories from my friends who birthed in hospitals and experienced zero after care. Obviously hospital births aren't always going to be horrible and birth center births aren't always going to be wonderful, but I am so thankful that I had a complication free pregnancy and birth and experienced wonderful after-care with MBC. read more

If I could give the Minnesota Birth Center and its midwives ten stars out of five, I would. They have made me feel empowered, safe, excited, and totally comfortable throughout my pregnancy. The facility itself is beautiful and makes me exhale the moment I step in, which is unusual for me: I'm basically the walking definition of white-coat effect. The receptionists are friendly and helpful, and the schedule always seems to be running more or less on time (also unusual!). The appointment room is comfortable and equipped with everything you need and nothing more: a table for your belly exam, an ultrasound machine (not used unless medically necessary), a computer, and a couple of chairs so you and your partner can relax and chat with the midwife. And that's really what the appointment is: a conversation. They check in with you, see how you're feeling, answer any questions you might have, and make me feel like, even though I'm not perfect by any means, I am fully capable of doing this pregnancy. The delivery rooms are gorgeous! I haven't actually birthed at the Center yet, but when I walk into one of their two rooms and immediately feel like I'm in the most perfect B&B, with a lovely, cozy bed, a big tub, a beautiful bathroom, and a couch for guests or for my hubby who might be passed out! It's like being at home but without the mess. The MBC midwives are what make this place so perfect, though. I've had appointments with Mary-Signe, Martha, and Kaitlin, and I can't even begin to describe how awesome they all are. They clearly know their stuff, but they are medical pros who care about YOU and your babe. They don't scare mamas about the birth process; they are honest about it, help explain and address any questions or issues that might arise, and truly make you feel empowered to bring this tiny person into the world. If something comes up during the birth and you need different medical attention, the midwives march right over to the Mother Baby Center at Abbott (just across the street) with you and continue your care. And they make even anxious me feel totally okay with whatever happens. Speaking of anxious, I am. About everything. I was particularly nervous about my glucose-tolerance test because I was afraid it would change my birth plan (MBC is for low-risk pregnancies, so if you do have gestational diabetes, they help you find a doc who is best suited for keeping you and your babe as healthy as possible). I was scheduled for a test three weeks out and I was driving myself crazy in anticipation. I called to schedule an appointment sooner, but couldn't get in. And then Kaitlin called me and told me I could come in even before the first appointment a few days later so they could do my blood draw. That, to me, was completely over and above what they needed to do, but they understood how important this was to me and accommodated my craziness. If you're reading this, THANK YOU! I passed the test and got a happy call from Mary-Signe the next day. I obviously can't say enough good things about the MBC and its awesome team of midwives. If you are looking for a natural approach to care during your pregnancy with minimal intervention, midwives to take care of you and your belly, and a calm, non-hospital setting, MBC is definitely worth checking out. There are no drugs and no judgment about the care you want for your birth and pregnancy care. It's about you and your little person at MBC, and it's one of the most comfortable, empowering environments I've been in. Thank you for taking care of me + little babe on this journey so far! read more

Highly recommend this birth center for having your baby! We could not ask for a more caring, knowledgeable and friendly staff and for such an intimate and perfect birth. Working with the staff throughout the whole process was very easy! I will definitely return there for having my second baby. read more

I originally chose the Minnesota Birth Center because I assumed that being a relatively young female I would have an uncomplicated pregnancy. I was also set on having an all natural birth. My first couple of visits were fine. We were in the beginning stages of the journey and still learning what to expect from my pregnancy and our healthcare provider. Things started to go down hill around week 25 when my ankles swelled to the size of grapefruits, literally. I had been gaining weight consistently up until this point due to my first trimester need for McDonald's chicken nuggets. Continually through the rest of my pregnancy, though, I was gaining more weight faster. At every single appointment I asked about how to alleviate the swelling in my ankles. It had gotten so bad that I could not walk more than a block without them going numb. Every time I was told to drink more water (up to 100 mL a day- which is a great goal, but completely unrealistic for most people), put feet up whenever possible, cut out process foods, and walk. I drank as much water as my body could handle, I kept my feet up whenever I was at my desk at work, I had already cut out most processed foods from my diet, and I walked nearly 1 mile every day (despite my numb and swollen ankles). None of these alleviated pain. Yet when I told the midwives this they just told me to keep doing what I was doing. At one point I was in tears outside of Target Field because I had just walked from Nicollet Mall- when the lightrail was out of service for those two weeks in summer- and my feet were in so much pain and were so swollen that I couldn't continue my walk to the Northstar train. I, at that point, use the messages feature in the patient portal on the website to send my midwife a message once again airing all of my frustrations with my ankles and how much pain I was constantly in. I got a message back TWO WEEKS LATER telling me that portal messages are not checked daily and to call instead. No mention of any of my concerns in her reply to me. I had already called once before to talk to the on-call midwife about this issue and was told to talk to my primary midwife which is what prompted the message in the first place. Seems silly to have a messages portal if the midwives don't check them. While all of this was going on, we were also having billing issues. For the first 3 months the Minnesota Birth Center could not figure out the proper billing codes and so we were consistently getting incorrect bills from them and Quest Diagnostics. They also could not figure out how to submit the bills to my correct insurance, and so the first few Quest Diagnostics bills weren't billed to insurance. Fast forward to month 8. I had made the decision a week prior to switch care to Oakdale ObGyn. I felt I needed more experienced physicians to guide me and actually listen to my concerns in my last month. I didn't even get to my first appointment with Oakdale before I was admitted to the hospital. On the night of 8/20 I was triaged at Maple Grove Hospital. The on call doctor there recorded a blood pressure of 170/140 and officially diagnosed me with preeclampsia. I was admitted to their birth center where I was watched like a hawk for my entire stay. The on call doctor that initially took care of me in the triage room at Maple Grove Hospital was dumbfounded that the midwives at the Minnesota Birth Center had not caught the basic symptoms of preeclampsia before it had gotten to this stage. When I entered the hospital that night I was in a very severe state of preeclampsia and would have likely seized if I hadn't gone in. I feel if my concerns had been heard and taken seriously early on in my pregnancy at the Minnesota Birth Center, all of this could have been avoided. With all of this said, no I would not recommend them. Not in a million years. Not if they were the last medical facility on earth. The midwives, as people, are awesome. The midwives, as medical professionals, are questionable to say the least. read more

I chose to deliver my second baby at Minnesota Birth Center and it was a fantastic experience. The CNMs were respectful, smart and always took time to holistically provide prenatal care. Mid-pregnancy, I had complications and the team had a plan and supported me. I had a peaceful delivery in a comfortable birth room and a lovely post-partum herb bath. It was the perfect, empowering experience to enter into motherhood for the second time. Icing on the cake: Minnesota Birth Center is in-network with my health insurance! read more

I could not have had a better birth experience. The midwives and nurses are personable and knowledgeable. I felt totally confident with the care they provided. Our first child was born in a hospital setting where I felt like I just became part of the hospital machine... where what I wanted and felt did not matter, and the level of treatment was overkill for a completely normal pregnancy and birth. With the MN Birth Center, they took the time to get to know my family and provided a beautiful and supportive environment in which to bring our second child into the world. The midwives and staff are amazing, the facility absolutely beautiful and the personal touches put it at the extraordinary level. They prepare a wonderful herbal bath for you and your baby after the birth, and bring you warm, fresh baked bread. Bliss!! One of the midwives gave us a little crocheted hat for our little one. Even my husband, who had some reservations about a "non-hospital" birth, said any doubts he had were put to rest and he could not have asked for a better birth for our daughter. The center is literally across the street from Abbott, and the midwives have privileges there. So, if something did escalate and require a hospital, there is an established relationship with the OBs at Abbott and continuity of care. I think the biggest concern I had going into the birth was that you will go home early (i.e. 4-5 hours after birth if everything is ok). This ended up not being a real concern, as I felt so relaxed and blissful that it was not that big of a deal. In addition, I could rest better at home and did not have the constant intrusions of the hospital setting. I loved loved loved the experience and felt empowered and supported every step of the way. This is an amazing alternative to what has become the "traditional" way to have a baby in the U.S. I highly recommend going with a midwife, especially those at the Minnesota Birth Center. read more

I cannot say enough good things about MN Birth Center (Mpls). I transferred my care at 20 weeks from a traditional OB/hospital system, and I'm so glad I did. In my first two appointments, I met with different midwives with whom I did not feel a personal connection (a bit disconcerting), but kept seeing all the midwives and connected easily with the others. Pros: home-like atmosphere, in-network with many insurances, nitrous oxide availability, gigantic tubs, proximity to hospital for emergencies, 24-hour home visit from RN, staff who believe birth is safe and normal Cons: The billing protocol: our HSA account was billed at 37 weeks but not submitted to our insurance until baby was born, allowing time for our deductible/responsibility amount to change. We have to pursue a refund from our insurance company now, which is a hassle. :( read more

I have had two babies with MBC and can't say enough good things about them. All the midwives are great--smart, professional and patient-centered. I highly recommend the Minnesota Birth Center. read more

This is an excellent facility, top notch staff, run under auspices of a fetal medicine specialist who wanted to help women have more options to give birth naturally. They helped me do just that! I ran into red tape on every direction due to a false positive turners syndrome on blood test screening. I did not want to undergo amniocentesis due to risks and wanted a water birth as I had experienced previously with my first baby. My care was dropped by Health Foundations Birth Center at 34 weeks pregnant but I was able to continue with the amazing staff at the MN Birth Center and have the birth experience I had been hoping for! I'd give them 6 stars if possible! (I actually delivered at the St Paul location and saw midwives at both locations) read more

First of all I would like to say that this is a lovely place to have your prenatal visits and a great place to deliver if you are in labor for 8 to 12 hours. Anything longer than that or if you are a first time mom, go to a hospital that has the same accommodations. And you can stay for 36 hours instead of 4 after delivery. I was treated well and it was pretty standard at the center. The midwife who helped me deliver across the street at Abbott was amazing. I think Mary-Signe Kelly was the best midwife, and did a beautiful job delivering my baby boy. With that said, I will not go back. Here is why... My labor pains started on Monday night, early Tuesday morning and would not stop. I had a friend come out and called my doula to help me time my contractions and be there when my husband could not. These women helped me during this part of my labor. I slept when I could, and ate when I could. This was my first rodeo, but I felt like I was doing a great job at home up until I went to the Birth Center on Wednesday night. We followed all the instructions on their list, but found out when we arrived there I was only 3 cm dilated (birth center wants 5 to 6 to be admitted). So the midwife on-call sent me home (I won't mention her name to protect identity) with two sets of sleeping meds. I DON'T TAKE ANY MEDICATION, NEVER HAVE. I did anyway because I was in such pain and very tired. I felt like I didn't have a voice to say no to the midwife. My friend, doula, husband and my own mother were very disappointed in this midwife. Anyway, I took the meds when I got home, and that is when I blacked out. I have no clue what happened. Apparently, we went back to the center and I was hallucinating. The midwife on-call was very rude and impatient with me because I only was dilated to 4. I was handling myself quite well until she prescribed and really wanted me to take those drugs. She never asked if I was allergic or if I had any tolerance to these types of medications. My doula suggested I go over to Mother Baby at Abbott (best decision I ever made) to help with delivery. i wanted a natural, water delivery, but I wasn't dilating as planned. No water birth but still a vaginal delivery, which was the important thing. I was relieved because I could rest, and stay up to 36 hours or even longer. Birth Center only allows you to stay up to 4 to 6 hours. I was not ready. My baby ended up being Jaundice on top of everything else, so I am grateful for the hospital despite what "natural" mothers say. Mary-Signe Kelly came in for the on-call midwife to deliver my boy, and I was extremely pleased with her. I finally delivered on Thursday afternoon. Yes, long labor. I am grateful that the midwives can help deliver at Abbott. So I give it a 3/5 because of Mary. I would have given it a higher rating if the midwife did not prescribe meds and treated my family with a little more respect. Thanks for reading, I hope it helps. read more