We’re opening a birth center!
Philadelphia’s First birth center in 40 years
Opening Spring 2027
In a city where Black people are four times more likely to die after giving birth than white people, midwifery care isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. In a world where medicine is too often driven by profit and efficiency, people-centered care is the grounding force that restores humanity, trust, and dignity to the act of bringing life into the world.
Everyday we get a little bit closer to opening Philadelphia’s first birth center in almost 40 years! So far, we have secured a property, zoning approval, and a $550,00 federal grant. Demolition is complete, and our contractors are securing permits for the next phase of construction.
Your contributions will help the Philadelphia Midwife Collective finish our second birth suite, porch and community space, and complete the first floor of the birth center—bringing us one step closer to opening our doors!
Midwife-led birth centers are proven to deliver better outcomes for families and babies: lower rates of unnecessary medical interventions, higher rates of vaginal birth and breastfeeding, fewer preterm births and low-birth-weight babies, and higher satisfaction with care.
This is humanity and dignity in action. With your support, the birth center is within reach!
The latest updates from the birth center:
December 2025
In 2025 we broke ground at our new birth center, and teamed up with Hivemind Construction to complete the demolition phase of development. We (respectfully) evicted a family of raccoons from the birth center building (sorry, little guys!) and relocated a large colony of honeybees out of the birth center and into our friend Kristin’s nearby apiary. Thanks Kristin! Next step: Permits and the build out of our first birth suites.
Check out the latest photos from construction, and join our email list for volunteer opportunities—we will have lots of walls to paint!
Our future birth suites: With beautiful natural light, these suites will have tubs, beds, and all the comforts for families welcoming their babies.
Future laundry room and kitchen
Community room and porch: These spaces will be home to our groups and classes, as well as spaces for relaxation
Clinical Director Autumn Nelson, CNM standing with our contractor Josh in what will eventually be our sunny upstairs waiting room and community space.
Big thanks to Josh and the Hivemind Construction team for all their hard work on this project!