Danbury Sees First State Licensed Birth Center By Women's Health CT

DANBURY, CT — Women’s Health Connecticut has partnered with the state’s first licensed free-standing birth center, expanding its offerings for patients seeking more personalized and low-intervention birthing options.

The facility, formerly the Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center, will continue operating under the same name at 94 Locust Avenue. It houses the Danbury Midwifery Group and averages about 150 births annually. The center offers services including water births, prenatal and postpartum care, and annual gynecological exams in a homelike setting.

The move comes in response to growing demand for alternative birthing methods. In Connecticut, home births rose from 217 in 2019 to 271 in 2020. Nationwide, home births increased by 12 precent during the same period. In 2023, the state enacted legislation to license free-standing birth centers, providing more options for patients with low-risk pregnancies.

“We listened and heard women and their desire to have more birthing choices,” said Paula Greenberg, president and CEO of Women’s Health Connecticut. “We will continue the legacy of this 30-year-old center and offer a safe, intimate experience for our patients.”

Midwife director Cathy Parisi said patients come from across the state and beyond for a low-intervention birth experience. The center’s certified nurse midwives also have privileges at nearby Danbury Hospital for seamless transitions if needed.

The partnership is expected to increase access and visibility for the center, while aligning with Women’s Health Connecticut’s goal of expanding personalized, high-quality maternal health care throughout the state.