testimonials
“My experience with Andaluz was awesome and profound. When my daughter was born via unnecessary “emergency” c-section I quickly became aware that there were few future birthing options for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section).
When I became pregnant with my son, I sought care from Andaluz. From the first moment my care started, I knew that I had come to the right place. My first birth was fairly traumatic to me, and I was worried that the same complications would arise in my second birth. Even though I was worried that the same thing would recur, my midwife never showed an inkling of concern. The confidence they had in me resounded and became confidence in myself. I can’t thank my midwives enough for the work they did. They calmed and comforted me through a rough pregnancy. I believe that birth works and that it should not be treated like an illness. That viewpoint was both respected and strengthened at Andaluz.
My second birth was heaven. Even though I had had a grueling and traumatic 48 hour labor with my daughter, my son made a smooth transition into this world. He was born into my own hands, not cut out of me, as was recommended by some in the medical profession.
I have Andaluz to thank for such an empowering birth. I feel like I have had a transition that changed my life as a mother and as a woman. The 48 hours I spent at the birth center after the birth was also heaven. I was not awoken several times to do paperwork or to have the baby weighed. The staff allowed our family to snuggle and get to know each other while giving us the care that we needed.
I can’t imagine a better way to have a baby.” –Christine
“I had my first child in Southern Oregon at a small hospital that had the option of waterbirth. I had heard about all the great benefits of waterbirth so I decided to try it. Everything went so smoothly. Then we moved to the Portland area and got pregnant again. I knew I wanted to do waterbirth again but knew doing it at an area hospital wasn’t going to be the same experience I had had in Ashland. We heard of Andaluz through a couple of friends of ours and thought we’d check it out. And we’re so glad we did! I had all my prenatal check ups at the Tualatin location with the same midwives every time. I love how comfortable everyone made us feel at Andaluz. My midwives were always just a phone call away for anything I had questions or concerns about. My labor and delivery of my second child was everything I had hoped for, and then some. My birth was so me. I am pregnant again and have the same midwives I had with my last child. I look forward to having my third child, and any more in the future, at Andaluz.” –Meghan
“Finding the comfort and familiarity of home, that’s what we were looking for when the search for a birthing center began. Our first had been born in a birthing center and we wanted to do the same again for our second child. We found Andaluz and fell in love with the midwives and the rest of the staff there, they became an extended family that we knew we could lean on during a time when we needed support. Thanks to the Andaluz family we were able to bring our second little girl into the world in a safe and nurturing environment. We wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything. Thank you, Andaluz.” –Brittany
“I do not think there are even words to describe how wonderful my last two births were with the Andaluz midwives I got the opportunity to birth at both locations and they were both the most beautiful births possible. I went almost three weeks over with my third child and my first birth with andaluz. They were so calm and helpful I did not feel any pressure or stress about going over due. When he finally decided to show up he came quickly and effortless in the water. He was never out of my arms for more than a few minutes only when they helped me shower off and get into the bed. My next birth when I birthed my beautiful baby girl was very quick when I got to the center I had the baby within in 45 minutes. It was an amazing last birth the with the fetus ejection reflex. This is not very common because so many women have people interfering with their labor and pushing so it is not usually experienced. But that is how I had Kira. I did not help her birth at all she came out with any help from me, except to change positions to birth her shoulders. I could not have asked for a better birth and as always I am very thankful I found the wonderful Andaluz midwives to help me with my last two births. They were everything I could ask for and more, truly what birth is meant to be.” –Mindy
“Having my two babies birth at Andaluz Waterbirth Center was absolutely perfect. With the help of the midwives, my husband and I were able to have the birth we wanted. He was there to be my coach, the rooms were calming and comfortable, and the midwives and their assistants were ready to help us in any way we needed. My husband is proud to say that he “delivered” my second child, something that could never have happened in a hospital setting. I never felt any pressure to seek medical means to rush the labor process. I was also very happy with the support structure and emergency procedures in place for any complications that may have arisen during the labor. I am extremely grateful that my two daughters, Madelynn and Elizabeth, came into this world in such capable hands and will continue to rely on Andaluz midwives to be present for my future births!” –Stacey
“I transferred to Andaluz from a local hospital towards the end of my pregnancy because I was searching for a group of midwives who truly believed in safe, natural childbirth without drugs or unnecessary intervention. After meeting a few of the midwives at Andaluz I felt relieved to find a place that had so much faith in a woman’s ability to birth her baby naturally. I never once doubted my ability to birth my child while seeing the midwives at Andaluz. All the fears that the hospital put in my head were gone. I had an amazing, empowering birth, and I will always treasure the memory. I only wish we would have been there all long.” –Heidi
“I have been blessed with five children. My first two were born in separate hospitals, in different states, both terrible experiences. In both places the hospital staff fought us all the way on our decision to attempt a natural, drug free birth. We were treated with annoyance and suspicion because we wanted to know everything they were doing to me and our newborn baby. Questions were not tolerated well.
The second birth was a shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s arm and shoulder became stuck on my pelvic bone, and the doctor had to literally yank him out by his arm. My baby was in pain and did not even move his arm for the first few months. The doctors were taken by surprise at his size, 11 pounds, 6 ounces, and warned me to never attempt another vaginal birth.
When we were expecting our third baby, I discovered Andaluz Waterbirth Center. I knew there had to be a better way, and I found it! I was sold at my first appointment there. The midwives were nothing less than wonderful. They were so kind, so caring and attentive. It did not feel like a medical experience, but a natural life happening. I had a beautiful baby, drug free, with complete support from my midwives.
Next came our fourth baby, who was measuring very big. I was haunted by memories of my previous traumatic birth. I desperately wanted to have my baby in the loving environment with my awesome midwives, but I was afraid for the safety of my baby and myself. I seriously considered requesting a Cesarean. After gentle counseling from the midwives, I decided to trust them and let nature take its course. The next day I had my totally uncomplicated waterbirth. My baby was 11 pounds, 12 ounces, and was absolutely perfect! I felt great, and only needed one stitch!
Two years later, we found baby #5 on the way. We were living in Las Vegas at the time. After researching my options, homebirth was the only thing available to me in my opinion, and I was not at all confident of the midwives ability there to handle the complications a large baby might bring. I missed Andaluz! After careful consideration, we decided to scrape together every spare penny and move back to Oregon so I could have my baby in the place I knew would be safe for both her and me. At 31 weeks, we sold everything but the bare minimum and drove our expanding family back to Oregon. My big, beautiful baby was born in the Portland Birthcenter. She was 11 pounds, 4 ounces, and it was a perfect birth experience. I had no stress whatsoever. No worries of birthing a large baby. Only contentment that I could have my baby where I wanted, the way I wanted.
There are not enough nice things I can say about the whole Andaluz experience. I have sat here and tried to think of one negative thing about my three birth experiences with them, and I just can’t think of anything! They took great care of me, my baby and even my family. I was able to bring my children along to my prenatal appointments. They were a part of the whole experience.
A few weeks ago, my first Andaluz baby, who is now four years old, cut the cord of her new baby sister, while her siblings watched. How awesome is that! Thank God for Andaluz Waterbirth Center and all their beautiful people. They are without a doubt one of the greater blessings in my life.” –Hannah
“I came to Andaluz at 20 weeks. I was certain I wanted to birth out of the hospital this time, but those who I was having the baby for were not. The midwives were able to explain everything and provide the baby’s intended parents with great information so they felt secure in the choice of an out of hospital birth. When the baby was born we were both given rooms and the support we needed. They helped the parents with their new baby and me with my post-partum needs and exclusively pumping for the first time. Everyone was so excited and happy for us and we never felt any different from any other family that would birth there. It was truly an experience I treasure.” –Veronica