About Us

Bellingham Birth Center provides a calm, beautiful setting in which to experience the unique rhythm of labor. Although no one can ever truly be prepared for labor, certain truths about the process have been accepted:

• Humans, like many other mammals, labor best in a private setting where they feel safe.
• We labor best surrounded by people we know and love, without the intrusion of strangers.
• We labor best with access to a warm bath that helps us relax.
• Families do best when they remain together without interruptions after the baby’s birth.

Established in 2004

With overwhelming community support and the indispensable help of family and friends, Christine Gibbs and Catriona Munro established Bellingham Birth Center in early 2004 to answer the community’s need for a private, peaceful setting for labor and birth.  At the time, there were no free-standing birth centers north of Everett, although the possibility of a birth center had been discussed in the community for many years.  In 2008 we added a 3rd birth suite to allow for the occasional need for a 3rd space.  That extra space provides the staff and clients of Bellingham Birth Center a great deal of peace of mind.

Christine began a much-deserved retirement in 2020, and now Catriona is in charge of keeping the lights on and stocking essentials such as bleach, bendy straws, and chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Ina May Gaskin, an internationally recognized expert on natural childbirth, “cut the umbilical” cord of the Bellingham Birth Center during the grand opening ceremony, as hundreds of community members looked on and joined the celebration.

“The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.”
― Ina May Gaskin, Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta

Amenities

Bellingham Birth Center facilitates a person’s innate ability to give birth without intrusive interventions while providing an appropriate amount of technology to ensure safety.

• Each of the three birth suites includes a roomy tub in which to labor and/or birth, a hand-held shower, and a private bathroom.
• There’s a central kitchenette for families to store snacks (popsicles, fruit, juice, whatever you like) and we also have a nice supply of energy bars, electrolyte drinks, instant oatmeal, crackers, coffee, tea, etc.  We think it’s a very good idea to eat and drink during labor … obviously …
• We have a variety of birth stools, birth balls, and a birth sling.  These all facilitate different positions during labor.
• We offer nitrous oxide for pain relief, although the freedom to move, access to a birthing tub, and knowing the people who are there with you are all incredibly helpful and important during birth.
• Each room has a comfy queen sized bed with an infinite supply of pillows and blankets, heating pads, fans, bluetooth speakers, and dimmer switches (of course!)
• Each room is also equipped with the medical tools that only come out when needed ~ medications and oxygen, IVs and catheters, suture and lidocaine.  We generally keep them tucked away but easily accessible.
• There are no machines that make annoying noises, just a doppler that makes the comforting sound of your baby’s heartbeat.

Since its founding, the Bellingham Birth Center has been honored to witness over 1900 births.  Between birth center and home births, local licensed midwives currently attend about 13% of the deliveries in Whatcom County.

Please email us at [email protected] and we can set up a tour and answer any specific questions you might have.  You can also call us at (360) 752-2229.