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Start Your Journey With Us

We are so honored that we can be part of this amazing journey with you. Read on to learn the easy steps you can take to have your new baby at Dar a Luz.

Step One:
Confirm that Dar a Luz meets your needs

Pregnant people with these conditions ARE ELIGIBLE for a birth center birth:
  • Advanced age (women and birthing people 35 and over)
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Previous premature birth
  • Previous over-due birth
  • Previous large baby
  • Previous pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
  • Previous postpartum hemorrhage
  • Previous miscarriage
  • Use of fertility measures to achieve pregnancy
  • Diet controlled gestational diabetes
  • Previous birth with forceps or vacuum extractor
  • Diagnosis of genital herpes (no active lesion during birth)
  • Previous cesarean section (must meet specific criteria)
These conditions require a higher level of care than our birth center can offer:
  • Breech (bottom first) baby at time of labor
  • Pregnant with more than one baby
  • Pre-existing diabetes
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Heavy cigarette smoker
  • Current drug user
  • Chronic high blood pressure
  • Severe heart disease
  • Epilepsy/seizure disorder
  • Hyper-thyroid disease (over-active thyroid) (Note: low or hypothyroid disease that is well managed is acceptable)
  • Vertical cesarean incision (aka “classical” incision)
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Pre-pregnant BMI (body mass index) greater than 39.9. Calculate your BMI here.

Dar a Luz solo acepta clientes que habla ingles en este momento debido a la falta de personal bilingüe.
(Dar a Luz accepts only English-speaking clients at this time due to a lack of bilingual staffing.)

The care and concern shown by the midwives (especially Meagan and Susan) and all staff (especially Stephanie, Savannah, Olivia, and Tracy) were wonderful. I sometimes felt guilty about how much time the midwives spent with me and started to rush myself, but the midwives never made me feel like I was taking too much time and always provided detailed accurate information and made sure I didn’t have any unanswered questions. Tracy even selected a couple books for me when I knew what information I wanted but not which book(s) might be best.

Sep 13 2021

Step Two:
Attend a Virtual Tour and Orientation

Each virtual tour and orientation includes a 1-hour video presentation of the birth center and staff, followed by a midwife answering all of your questions. We know you are excited and have many questions, and we’ll make sure all of your questions about Dar a Luz are answered during the tour, or soon after. We usually offer two tours every month. At this time, all tours are online.

You must register and attend an tour, and then be accepted for care by a midwife, before you can make your first prenatal appointment at the birth center. You may attend a tour before or during your pregnancy. If you are over 28 weeks pregnant, please get a copy of your records for the midwives to review.

Please note: Dar a Luz can take 20 due dates per calendar month, and then we begin a waitlist. Please attend an tour as soon as possible to learn about any months that currently have a waitlist. Even in busy months, spots do sometimes open up, and we will call you as soon as we have availability after you have been accepted for care.

Register for the VIRTUAL Tour and Orientation

Can’t find an open tour? Sign up for our waitlist below.

Tour waitlist

Our Philosophy

Dar a Luz Birth & Health Center believes:

  • In empowering women.

  • In empowering transgender and gender nonbinary people, too.

  • Education is the foundation that is essential to optimal healthcare. We will freely exchange knowledge, offer a variety of educational classes and encourage clients to make their own informed decisions about their lives, including healthcare, contraception, childbirth and parenthood.

  • The proper utilization of current research and technology is valuable in providing the best possible care.

  • Birth is a normal, healthy and powerful life event for every individual and family. The duty of the caregiver is to trust a parent’s capability to birth their baby, provide a safe and individualized birthing atmosphere free of unnecessary interventions, and recognize and manage deviations from the normal birth process with appropriate and safe interventions.

  • Breastfeeding is the best option for new parents and babies. We encourage and support breastfeeding for all infants.

  • Family is defined by the individual. We encourage the participation of family members in a client’s healthcare, pregnancy and/or childbirth.

  • Educating the general public about midwifery, natural birth, out-of-hospital birth, breastfeeding and holistic healthcare is worthwhile.

  • In being a learning center for student healthcare providers such as nurses, midwives and physicians, and teaching the art of providing care in a respectful, considerate manner.

  • In striving to be an environmentally conscientious organization, minimizing our environmental impact and encouraging others to do the same.

  • In respecting and honoring all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion/philosophy, sexual orientation, ability, gender expression, socio-economic status or any other personal characteristic.

  • Our clients have the right to quality healthcare and the unique services offered at a birth center regardless of their ability to pay. We strive to serve underserved populations, including the uninsured, underinsured and other marginalized peoples through the help of various grants and private donations.

  • Compassionate care for clients throughout their lifecycles, especially during childbirth, has a substantial and beneficial effect on the family and therefore society as a whole.

Learn More About Having Your Baby Here
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