Louisiana will soon get its first Black-owned birth center!
According to KATC News, Baby Catcher Birth Center is on schedule to officially open its doors at the end of July and will become the first Black-owned freestanding birth center in the state.
Lafayette native, Shatamia Webb says that one of her biggest fears, when it came time for her to give birth, was arriving at the hospital and not being able to come home so she decided to have both of her children at home.
Now, she’s on a mission to help all future parents not only feel more confident when it comes to delivering their bundle of joy but informed about the options they have when it comes time to do so.
Webb is currently a midwife and has conducted home births for the last four years. For her and her staff, it’s all about mothers knowing “what to expect going in at every stage of the journey.”
Staff at the center will provide insights for mothers on topics that include breastfeeding education, nutrition, labor support, and more.
Plus, she says that mothers will be seen throughout their whole pregnancy along with check-ins during prenatal and postpartum periods. Benefits of the center will also include more individualized care along with a different approach when it comes to giving birth.
Webb also adds that mothers will be able to have as many people as they want with them during the time of delivery and the center will have two suites for two families. It is also noted that the center is located near Lafayette General Hospital just in case there are any complications.
“This is what I love,” said Webb in an interview with KATC. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
The CDC reports that Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth and Webb is committed to changing this narrative with the Baby Catcher Birth Center.
