FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- When it comes to having a baby, a majority of Americans will head to their hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, there is growing interest for home births and alternative birthing centers.
A beautiful Victorian style house in Downtown Fresno is now home to the Central Valley's only alternative birthing center.
"There are some women who are a little more sketchy about being at home, but they still don't want to be in a hospital," said Detrah Hele, Midwife. "They've been asking for a birth center for years and I've wanted to open one for years."
Hele's dream is finally coming true. After delivering babies at people's homes, she's now happy to provide an additional space for others.
"Right now we do 40 to 50 births a year and we may get busier now that we have the birth center," said Hele. "We already have five people that are scheduled to birth in the coming year."
The newly opened center is slated to welcome its first birth in February. They can accommodate up to three births at a time.
Midwife Alex De Pastene showed us around the home. The center provides pools for water births as well. She says letting birth unfold naturally dates back to the beginning of time.
"When we see things are fall outside of normal that's when midwives intervene and jump in. Otherwise, we're here to support you emotionally, physically, in whatever we can."
Midwives say for low risk pregnancies, this comfortable environment can be beneficial to mom and baby. The cost of the stay is about $4,500 and midwives say it is less than that of a hospital birth. However, not all insurance companies will pay for the service.
The midwives say building the Birth Place has been a true labor of love and they're excited to offer more options for Valley moms.