Greenhouse Birth Ctr

The midwives and doulas at GBC cared for me through a miscarriage and then through the birth of my son. Each of my prenatal visits lasted AT LEAST an hour (my sister went to an OB/GYN and says that sometimes she didn't even see the doctor - her vitals were taken and she was sent on her way) all of my (as well as my husband and step-daughters') questions and fears were always addressed with balance and respect. I was 20 days past my due date and my fluid was dangerously low so I had to give birth in the hospital. I was very nervous to birth at the hospital and a GBC doula met me there and one of the midwives came to visit me each day. They then came to visit me at home and provided much needed post-natal and breastfeeding support, took pictures of our family and brought beautiful gifts. And as if that wasn't enough they provided well-baby checks for the first month or so of my son's life. I will be forever grateful for the education and support I received at GBC. Every woman deserves the kind of care I received.

Posted 06/17/09 | Report Abuse

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I had my son at the birth center on 2 / 14 /07. It was the best experience. I would no more have my baby in a hospital then fly to the moon. People criticize the center because of fear of the unknown. We have been told by doctors and insurance companies that make millions off us having a baby in the hospital setting is the safe way , what do they make if you have a natural birth? Then lets go their, people who are being negative , any woman could have just as negative experience in a hospital as the birth center. My son had to spend 5 days in the hospital. the doctors stated he would have been their no matter where he was born. I would take a birth at the center any day knowing that I could walk around and moan and scream with out a doctor poking me with needles or telling me when to push, YOU ARE MADE TO HAVE BABIES the doctors or any medical person is just suppose to insist you. Stop Knocking something that is their to make it better , not worse , next time look at the hospital statics for birth problems or complication. have you baby the natural way , you will be a stronger woman.

Posted 05/27/09 | Report Abuse

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I have had 3 children with 2 different Michigan midwife practices. Though I dearly loved the midwives who cared for me during my first two pregnancies, everything (and I mean everything) changed once I got to the hospital. I watched them lose their power to the hospital bureaucracy. These women who I trusted and who had seen me for the whole pregnancy were shoved aside by hospital staff who "knew better" than the weirdo midwives and their patients. I was forced out of a birthing tub by Borgess Hospital medical policy. I was just a number.

Greenhouse Birthcenter is the ONLY freestanding, midwife owned and operated birth center in Michigan, and you can tell that from the moment you walk into the building. It smells like independence and looks like liberty. Women are empowered and respected there. But best of all, babies come into the world as I believe they ought to: in utter and absolute peace.

I am really sorry that the previous poster, Lauren, had such a bad experience. I found this practice to be more than willing to work with me in every aspect - physical, emotional, financial, spiritual... If I were a betting person, I would say that there is a 99.99% chance that the financial problems were caused by Lauren's insurance provider. I know that my insurance provider threw a big stink and ended up wriggling out of ANY coverage for the birth of our son. Folks, you know and I know that the insurance industry is an I-scratch-your-back, you-scratch-my-back little love affair between allopaths and their partners in the insurance industry. We paid over 5K for the birth of our son AND IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY. If we get pregnant, we will have our baby at GBC, or I will go out to the tree in the back yard, hold on really tight, and have the baby by myself!!!

If you decide to try Greenhouse, tell them Spencer's mom sent you.

To read my birth story, please go to
http://www.greenhousebirthcenter.com/Spencer_BirthStory.htm

Posted 11/19/08 | Report Abuse

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I had a very negative experience at the Greenhouse Birth Center. The midwives we in no way encouraging or empowering. In fact, another woman came in to deliver her baby while I was there and one of the midwives rudely told me to pick up my things and keep it down so I wouldn't bother the other woman. Keep it down while in labor? I left crying my eyes out and they didn't notice I was gone for a few hours. I didn't want to ever go back, but my support people were starting to get worried and they still believed the midwives were there to help us. But no. They wanted to be done dealing with me and transferred me to Sparrow where things really went downhill. I got a day of humiliation, and violence and the next morning I got an unnecessary cesarean. Afterward, the midwives came to visit me and wanted to keep going over what happened to be sure I understood they blamed me for the way things turned out. One midwife visited me in my house and spent the whole time telling us that some women "just have a hard time letting go in labor." Then she insulted our art and left. Oh, and I didn't get back any of the money I paid to have my baby there. Thousands of dollars that we are in debt for a nightmare event that has left me so traumatized that I lay awake every night reliving it and I absolutely can't stand to be touched almost a year later. I had always wanted to have two babies, but I don't think all the therapy in the world could make me feel safe enough to go through any of that again. At the hospital, they told me the Greenhouse Birth Center transfers women to Sparrow Hospital at least once a month. At least once a month! The midwives made it seem like a really rare thing. I know some people have a great experience there, but I really wonder how many people like me are just too damaged by their experience to speak up about it.

Posted 10/21/08 | Report Abuse

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I had my first prenatal appointment at Sparrow and I left feeling very uncomfortable and I knew I needed to find something else. That lead me to GBC where I had the rest of my prenatal care. They are very knowledgeable and friendly. I ended up having my daughter at home on my bed because she came really fast. Our next child will be a GBC baby for sure.

Posted 09/10/08 | Report Abuse

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After having my first baby in a hospital the Greenhouse birth center was a much more peaceful experience. I was feel to labor how my body wanted and was not restricted in any way. The midwives were caring and helpful all while being attentive to the safety of my baby and me. I will give birth at the Greenhouse birth center again and would recommend it to all.

Posted 06/05/05 | Report Abuse

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I cannot recommend the Greenhouse Birth Center highly enough. They merit at least 100 stars. They are caring, devoted, knowledgeable, sympathetic, and highly highly skilled practitioners of assisting women give birth in a wonderful homelike atmosphere. Water labor is fantastic and makes it all so much easier. Wonderful people and place.

Posted 06/02/05 | Report Abuse

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The Greenhouse Birth Center is a wonderful option for a family to give birth peacefully in a quiet, caring setting with the help of a mid-wife.
I did not discover the facility until just before my son was born, however I plan to have my next child there. The Greenhouse Birth Center also has a wonderful support network for pregnant and new mother's. The gatherings make the center even more special.

Posted 06/01/05 | Report Abuse

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I received most of my prenatal care and did much of my labor at the birth center, but ended up transferring to Sparrow, where I delivered my son naturally. One of the midwives accompanied us to the hospital for labor and delivery support. I love that the birth center has such a homelike feel, yet the care is top notch. The midwives are experienced and the staff is friendly. Post-birth care and support for the whole family is available - and an important part of feeling comfortable in the new role of parents!

Posted 05/29/05 | Report Abuse

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I received all my prenatal care from the Greenhouse birth Center. When I went into labor, I ended up doing most of my labor at the birth center, but because of complications, I had to be transferred to Sparrow Hospital. I felt very safe and cared for, the entire time I was at the birth center. Their care is very personal and the midwives there know how to take care of families. I would definitely go back for any future children I may have. Care at the birth center extends beyond the actual birth, unlike the hospital where you're shoved through the system like an assembly line.

The birth center is like a home, the growing number of babies born there is an ever growing family of support for all new mothers. Without them, I don't know that I would have survived some of the hardships I faced after the birth of my daughter.

Posted 05/25/05 | Report Abuse

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