I gave birth to my second baby here several weeks ago. The experience exceeded my expectations. In contrast to my first hospital delivery, the birth center provided exactly what I was looking for: a welcoming, serene place to deliver my baby with no unnecessary interventions.
I didn't labor very long at the birth center since I arrived already in transition (8cm). I had to wait in one of the Artemis office rooms until the on-call midwife arrived, so by the time I walked across the hall into one of the birth center rooms, it was time to push!
I entered one of the birthing suites (the whole facility is pristine) and was greeted by the staff, nurse, and midwife. I had just enough time to get into the tub, start pushing, and successfully deliver my baby in the water a few minutes later.
The midwife on call who delivered my baby, Leslie, carried herself with so much peace, especially postpartum as I had some complications. It was nothing out of her expertise and she took very good care of me before I was discharged home. I always felt that I was in good hands.
My only critique is that I was under the impression during my pre-natal care that I would deliver my baby with one of the many Artemis midwives that I had met during my various pre-natal checkups. They all seemed lovely and I was ready to give birth with any one of them assisting. However, this was not the case and I had to wait for the on-call midwife to get to the birth center before I could be admitted. I didn't care in the moment because I was too busy laboring. I didn't mind once I met her either, because Leslie was wonderfully calm, encouraging, and knowledgeable--I instinctively trusted her and could tell she had plenty of experience in the way she carried herself. However, in hindsight I would have preferred to have met the person who helped bring my baby into this world beforehand!
Anyways, I am very happy with my experience. It was so empowering to give birth surrounded by people who believed in my natural ability to give birth, not to mention professionals who didn't interfere with my bonding time with my baby and husband immediately after birth by coming to poke and prod every half hour like they did at the hospital!
If you are considering an unmedicated birth, I would highly recommend the birth center. My experience with the Artemis practice for my pre-natal care was average, I have no complaints. Sometimes I waited longer in the waiting room, sometimes I waited less, nothing out of the ordinary to me when it comes to medical care. I have always been treated well. The mandatory pre-natal class offered by the birth center, which you pay out-of-pocket for, was excellent. I have already referred family to it. All of the steps required to give birth at the birth center were totally worth it, and I am already considering returning for any future babies.