Baby Catcher Birth Center

"If this is your first pregnancy, and your baby won’t just fall out of you for them to “catch”, I advise you to consider other alternatives. Here’s my story Prenatal appts were fine, standard. Here’s where is all goes wrong, delivery day. Early stages of labor middle of the night/early Saturday morning. Informed Tammy, advised to keep resting and drinking water. Early Sunday morning, my water broke. Went in to get checked, was 2cm dilated, and was sent home, around 7am. Went back in at around 6pm, was only 4cm. Stayed there bc she didn’t want to go back home and have to turn right back around. The WHOLE entire time I was there, she told me to get in different positions to make my body contract. Especially the more intense positions— sitting on the toilet, using the peanut ball. When I would rest, she would get upset. It lasted HOURS. Her and her apprentice’s energy changed. They became cold and it even felt hostile. As I was in pain, they sat there and watched. Offered no support, I understand they advised me to get a doula, but offering no help or support whatsoever baffles me. I asked to get in the tub, thinking about it now, I got in with the dirty bare feet I walked all over her floors with for hours AFTER my water had broken. She didn’t have me wipe them clean!!! I was starting to relax in the tub, but she told me that my contractions slowed down, so I needed to get out. They pretending to check my baby’s heart rate. They weren’t getting anything on the monitor, but pretended they did. I think they were using that as a way to say the baby was lower than she was (I’ll get to that below). The equipment they say they provide for for birth was not there. During my prenatal care, she told me I could have as many people as I wanted there. Until the day of, she pulled MY SISTER to the side and told her that all of my relatives there were a distraction and she thinks they should leave. My family told me she didn’t speak to them, and was very indifferent when walking by. When I was dilated enough, she had me push. While her hand was inside of me the whole time, each time. I told her it was uncomfortable and it hurt, she didn’t remove them. Pushed for hours, nothing happened. She made my husband believe that I wasn’t trying hard enough, even had him put his hand up to “feel the head/hair” because the baby was “right there”. Oh, again with thoroughly sanitizing. It got to the point of her that my husband and sister were getting upset with me and not wanting to offer comfort when I was having a contraction because she kept saying the baby is “right there” and I wasn’t pushing hard enough. My husband was concerned that the baby was stuck in the birth canal, and I just needed to try harder. That was the impression she was giving. All I could do was bawl. I felt incapable and helpless, and just wanted to go home. I just wanted to get out of there! She, again, pulled my sister to the side and told her that if I don’t try harder, she was going to send me to the hospital. So, I tried, and NOTHING. She ripped her gloves off in frustration, multiple times, by the way. At this point, my husband was like, let’s go. We’re going to the hospital. Funny thing, she had already sent my paperwork over. She was already done with me before we even decided to go. At the hospital, after getting checked, I was only 8cm. The nurse told me I should NOT have been pushing. When I was pushing and her hand was inside of me, SHE WAS STRETCHING ME. I felt so much more support there than I did with the midwife. I ended up having a c-section Monday at 11:37pm because the baby heart rate was reducing with every contraction, and she was in an awkward position. I was in AGONY at the baby catcher. I labored there for over 24 hours, and the whole time I was there the environment with her and the apprentice was hostile, uncomfortable, and cold. I HATED IT. My whole experience was ruined. I can’t even look at pictures from the birth center because it brings up a feeling of discomfort and trauma. I do NOT recommend. Please beware!!"

"Very compassionate, and professional. Love and enjoyed my experience. I had my son before center was open, I had home visits and check ups. Shatamia is the best."

"I LOVE this birth center and these midwives! I was able to have my dream pregnancy and birth largely due to the incredible support of Baby Catcher's birth team. I always felt heard and validated, and the team did a wonderful job at helping me manage my health anxiety. I also loved how much the team included and supported my husband throughout the pregnancy. It was such a privilege to birth in a place that felt calm, safe, and so much like home. I definitely plan to birth with Baby Catcher again!"

"We knew we wanted to have a natural birth for our first child and knew without a doubt after looking around at our options, that the Babycatcher was the place to do it. The staff is incredibly warm, grounded and knowledgeable. Not only is the center beautiful and perfectly set up for natural birthing, but the staff genuinely care about each family member and baby they help welcome into the world. They guide you every step of the way- from pregnancy through birth to postpartum. Offering a combination of office visits and home visits, the overall care is comprehensive. The only bummer about the Babycatcher is that they don't guide you through parenting all the way until the kiddo turns 18 ;) But in all seriousness, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to have another child at this center. In fact, our entire family misses working with the staff at the Babycatcher!"

"My wife and I were adamant about having a natural birth for our first child, but we were a little worried about having at home with only the midwife as support. We were referred to The Baby Catcher center by another midwife that thought we might be a good fit for the services offered by the Baby Catcher. We believe the facility, staff of midwives, and referred doulas were the reason we had a near perfect natural birth in central Louisiana. These people really know their stuff and they are professional in every way. For all of you out there that want a natural birth in a non-hospital setting, I implore you to visit the facility and have a one-on-one conversation with a midwife. You do NOT have to depend on the overpriced, over-intervening medical system to have a child! We were successful here and I think you will be, too! Thank you SO much to the staff at Baby Catcher! I will never forget what you did for me and my family."