The Arbour Birth Center was the first freestanding birth center established in Western Canada, founded by Diane Rach in 1994.

The Birth Center was opened to address a growing demand for an alternative location to labour and give birth. It is a unique and convenient facility that provides the comforts and ambiance of home, and is equipped with furniture and equipment specifically for birthing. It is in a residential-type building with two floors. The Birth Center facilities (3 birth suites, kitchen and living room) on the upper floor, a midwifery clinic (Honeycomb Midwives) and the birth center administration on the lower floor.

Over 1200 families have enjoyed welcoming their baby at Arbour Birth Center

Though the facility is physically and administratively separate from any hospital or other health care facilities, it is located within minutes of the Foothills Hospital and emergency services. Ii is also easy to get to the Rockyview Hospital, often the midwives preferred acute care site.

Having a birth center physically separate from acute care facilities allows the woman in labour to enjoy total privacy & control over her surroundings, free to labour as she feels right and to make decisions with the guidance and support of the midwives and others with whom she developed a trusting relationship during pregnancy.

The Arbour Birth Center policy supports the midwifery practice of keeping mother and baby together to help the baby transition and initiate breastfeeding. Usually the family is ready to return home 2 - 4 hours after the baby is born.

 Women may desire to give birth at the Birth Center for a variety of reasons, including:

• Wanting an out-of-hospital birth, but the home is not a viable option

• Being able to immerse in water for labour and if desired to give birth in water being assured of a continuous supply of hot water

• Privacy issues with home living arrangements (family or roommates)

• To be in a location where the mother is the centre of the attention and not feel obliged to care for others while in labour

• To be free to choose support people, who and how many she desires

• to have nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as an option for pain management

• As a compromise between hospital and home

* In order to book the Arbour Birth Center an expectant mother must be in the care of a Registered Midwife.

 Please feel free to phone or e-mail if you have questions Arbour Birth Center staff may be able to answer for you.