Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) reopened its CHA Birth Center on July 6, after a six-year hiatus.

The center closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened for prenatal care later in 2020, but remained closed for deliveries due to staffing shortages, operational challenges, and infrastructure concerns. Recognizing the need for increased maternal health access in CHA’s service area, and using data from the commonwealth showing the strong benefits of midwifery and birth center care, CHA engaged a leading consulting firm to support reopening planning.

The reopening of the CHA Birth Center means more growing families will have an opportunity to receive the type of highly personalized and culturally appropriate care they deserve. At a time when many maternity units and birth centers are under strain, CHA’s facility has 19 doulas who speak 13 different languages to support birthing people before, during, and after labor.

“We are proud to offer the CHA Birth Center as part of our excellent options for childbirth and maternal health services,” said Cambridge Health Alliance CEO Assaad Sayah, M.D. “It responds to community-identified needs and expands our high-quality maternal health options for our communities.”

“This is a milestone achievement for Cambridge and a signal to women everywhere that we can and will keep making progress on maternal health,” said U.S. Representative Katherine Clark, the Democratic Whip. “I’m so grateful to all of our state and local leaders who helped make this day possible. We’re going to keep fighting for a healthcare system worthy of every mother in this community and a future worthy of the children who will begin their lives at CHA.”

Located in a Victorian home, the CHA Birth Center includes amenities such as large walk-in showers and soaking tubs for water births. The first floor includes a reception area, three exam rooms, a living room, and a kitchen for patients and families. Families are welcome and encouraged to be part of the birth process. The second floor features three renovated birthing rooms, with new soaking tubs for waterbirths in two rooms. Waterbirths offer advantages such as warmth and pain management, deeper relaxation and faster labor times. Across the street from the birth center, CHA operates its hospital maternity service.

Reopening the CHA Birth Center would not have been possible without a $1 million state appropriation sponsored by Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge). CHA received a Mass. Department of Public Health grant as well as a grant from Beth Israel Lahey Health to assist with training, equipment, and community education and outreach.

While the CHA Birth Center welcomes everyone, there will be a special focus on underserved populations who will benefit most from midwifery care and a birth center experience. The Birth Center expects to welcome more than 100 new babies in the first year, increasing to about 300 by the fourth year.