Inclusive Places to Give Birth in Denver
Inclusivity, the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Even more simply put, inclusivity means making sure EVERYONE feels welcome, valued, and respected, no matter who they are or where they come from. Inclusivity is an action and should be deeply rooted in every aspect of everyday life. In the birth world, families can feel excluded or targeted due to their race, sexual identity and/or preferences, religious or spiritual beliefs, their weight, their age, their fertility journey, and their birthing preferences, to name a few.
At Lindsey Eden Photography and Doula Support, I welcome and support all kinds of families and birth preferences. I believe wholeheartedly that LOVE IS LOVE. That Black Lives Matter and we are at a critical point of needing to help change the Black Maternal Mortality Rates. That people of all shapes and sizes have the right to birth the way they want to.
SEASONS COMMUNITY BIRTH CENTER
Free standing birth center in Thornton, Colorado
Mission Statement: Rooted in the midwifery model of care, Seasons Community Birth Center promotes community wellness, holistic health, and gender affirming care within an anti-racist framework.
Vision: We strive to serve the families in our community through the provision of evidence based, holistic services across the full spectrum of reproductive and life cycles by providing care that respects individual dignity and shared decision making. Our model will empower clients and families to make positive health and lifestyle choices that impact overall well-being. Our teams will honor and respect the individual decisions each family makes, throughout their lifespan to promote both general and reproductive health.
Philosophy: Seasons Community Birth Center acknowledges the impact that our current healthcare system has on Black, Indigenous and people of color. The health care system is built upon systemic racism, oppression and white supremacy. Seasons recognizes this as oppression and racism in our care.
Seasons is the absolute first location that I thought of when compiling this list. They state loud and proud within their missions statement, across their branding and in all of their communications that they are a SAFE and INCLUSIVE location. From the moment you walk in the door, you feel welcome and within community. Their team is compiled of people that agree and believe this to their core. Each person lives their personal and professional lives practicing these beliefs and many are dedicated to helping make change in the system.
You may have read that Seasons had to temporarily shut down at the end of 2022 due to a loss in funding. It was devastating and many tears were shed by the team, the families under their care, and the community of supporters they have built. But almost immediately the community began looking for solutions and a way to reopen and they found it in a local non-profit organization called Elephant Circle. This incredible organization began their practice as queer Latinx, of diverse heritage, from the Southwest. They focus on presently and historically marginalized groups, groups no one else is helping, & groups that share an intersectional reproductive justice analysis. Under Elephant Circle’s umbrella, Seasons has been able to reopen as a non-profit Community Birth Center and only had to close their doors for one month.
Hospitals
AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
Hospital in Louisville, Colorado, a northern suburb of Denver.
DENVER HEALTH MIDWIVES
Hospital in the heart of Denver, Colorado.
UCHEALTH - CENTER FOR MIDWIFERY - ANSCHUTZ and UCHEALTH - CENTER FOR MIDWIFERY HIGHLANDS RANCH
Image by Kelly Contreras with My Doula Kelly
Homebirth Midwives
Colorado Midwifery Services with Dia Ingalls
Holding Light Midwifery with Natalie Baca
DENVER MIDWIVES COLLECTIVE:
Moonbabies Birth Services with Gina Penka Corriveau
New Leaf Midwifery with Jen Anderson-Tarver
Homebirth Colorado with Kathryn Raynes
Community Roots Midwife Collective
Meadowsweet Midwifery
NOTE: I recognize that I am speaking from a place of privilege as a white cis-gendered female. This list is compiled based on my personal experience, witnessing client births and their experiences, and statistics. Because a location or provider is NOT listed, does NOT mean that they are not inclusive.