Women’s Health Connecticut Acquires State’s First Licensed Freestanding Birth Center

In a significant development for maternal healthcare in Connecticut, Women’s Health Connecticut (WHC) has announced its acquisition of the Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center, the state’s first licensed free-standing birth center, originally established in 1997. This transition was disclosed on a recent Monday.

The Birth Center’s Legacy

Located at 94 Locust Ave. in Danbury, the center has been a cornerstone of maternal care, averaging 150 births annually over its 28 years of operation. As part of WHC’s acquisition, the center will continue to operate under its established name and maintain the services provided by the Danbury Midwifery Group, which specializes in delivering comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care in a welcoming, home-like environment.

New Licensing Regulations

WHC’s move is in alignment with newly enacted legislation, Public Act 23-147, which simplifies the licensing process for state-licensed freestanding birth centers under the oversight of the Department of Public Health (DPH). Beginning January 1, 2024, this law mandates that all birth centers obtain a state license to operate.

Prior to this law, the Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center held the distinction of being the only accredited licensed birthing center in Connecticut.

Response to Trends in Birth Preferences

The acquisition comes at a time when there has been a notable increase in the preference for home births in Connecticut. WHC reported that home births rose to 271 in 2020, marking a 25% increase from 2019. Nationally, the trend mirrors this growth with a 12% rise. The new licensing aims to enhance quality maternal health options for low-risk pregnancies, offering more personalized delivery choices.

Supporting Maternity Care

According to Paula Greenberg, WHC’s president and CEO, “We took the opportunity provided to us by the new streamlined regulations from the state of Connecticut and obtained a birthing center license to continue the operations of the birth center. We will continue its well-respected legacy and look forward to offering a birthing center experience to our patients.”

Cathy Parisi, the midwife director at the center, highlighted the benefits of WHC’s support, asserting that it would allow the midwifery team to expand patient access and lead in licensed birth center services across the state. The midwives have privileges at Danbury Hospital, located nearby, ensuring a seamless transition of care if hospital services are needed.

About Women’s Health Connecticut

Founded in 1997, Women’s Health Connecticut is headquartered in Rocky Hill and boasts a network of 90 locations statewide, employing over 300 healthcare professionals, including 200 board-certified or board-eligible physicians. The organization serves more than 330,000 patients, reinforcing its commitment to women’s healthcare across the region.