CABC Staff Member Robyn Davis recently sat down to talk with Aubre Tompkins, Director of Midwifery, Seasons Midwifery and Birth Center. Click here to read the full interview.
Robyn: Hi Aubre! Let’s start by talking about why you opened the birth center.
Aubre: First, my own births made me want to go into midwifery. We decided to open a birth center because we are passionate about the birth center model. The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is shameful, especially for women of color.
Robyn: Can you describe your client population?
Aubre: The largest ethnic group is Latino. Also, thirty percent of our population is Medicaid. We are the first birth center in our area and we are proud to say that we accepted Medicaid clients right from the beginning.
Robyn: What else are you proud of?
Aubre: Seasons Midwifery and Birth Center is a donation and outreach center for Mother’s Milk Bank. Also, our midwives have hospital privileges so that we can continue to manage care in the event of a transfer.
Robyn: How do you think that affects the hospital? Has the hospital changed how things are done as a result of the midwives’ presence?
Aubre: Yes. While developing the birth center, I worked as a midwife in the hospital. I think it’s critical for midwives to be involved day-to-day with things such as nurse education and developing policies and procedures.
Robyn: What do you think are the benefits of a fairly new midwife or a student midwife having experience in a birth center?
Aubre: Kitty Ernst has said that the birth center is the natural home of the midwife. As we move forward, it’s important for all midwives to have that foundation—to have a connection to our roots.
Robyn: Why do you think it’s important for your birth center to be CABC-accredited?
Aubre: Accreditation sup-ports a standard of excellence. Having a review by an objective third party is helpful, especially someone who “gets” birth centers. We planned for accreditation while developing the birth center. I highly recommend this to anyone starting a birth center. We had very few deficiencies at the first site visit.
Robyn: Do you have any other advice for someone starting a birth center?
Aubre: Assemble a team, gather your community, and pace yourself! Personally, have something other than midwifery in your life. Birth center midwifery is a lifestyle and can be overwhelming. You need something to take you away from it. Writing can be a creative outlet, for ex-ample.
Robyn: Would you like to share any exciting plans for the birth center?
Aubre: Growth. We plan to begin taking students in 2020 and implementing a doula program. We also want to ramp up fertility services.
Robyn: Thanks, Aubre!
