The Birth Center: The first freestanding Birth Center in Greece
Athens, 26th of November 2024. Today The Birth Center, the first freestanding Birth Center in Greece, was presented. A primary healthcare facility that offers evidence-based and comprehensive care, offering women the option of natural birth within a safe environment, experiencing birth as they dream it.
The Birth Center is expected to open to the public in the spring of 2025. Through individualised care provision, based on the midwifery model of care, women have the chance to experience childbirth in a way that responds to their needs and wishes, in a safe and familiar environment. The foundation of the midwifery model of care is the knowledge and advocacy of normal physiological processes. A key pillar of this model is the holistic approach, which encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social support for each woman, recognizing and embracing her uniqueness.
At The Birth Center, a comprehensive care plan is implemented that follows and applies protocols based on international and national guidelines and is compatible with the operation terms and conditions of Birth Centers, as defined by the applicable legislation. At the same time, there is an interconnection with the General, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic “LITO” and collaboration, both in terms of service provision and transfer, whenever deemed necessary.
With recognized scientific and professional training, documented knowledge, high standards of quality and safety, proven experience, systematic education, collaboration and empathy, the midwives of The Birth Center can offer personalized care to every woman who meets the admission criteria of The Birth Center during pregnancy, labor and postpartum period. At the same time, the care at The Birth Center is supported by a network of partners that includes doctors of all specialties, such as obstetricians-gynecologists and neonatologists, nutritionists, psychologists and other specialists, who contribute where needed.
The Midwifery Unit Network, a European network that provides training and consultancy for newly established Birth Centers internationally, will meet the educational needs of The Birth Center through a highly individualized training program and will serve as a steadfast supporter throughout the operation of the Center.
The philosophy, the function, the contribution that The Birth Center wishes to have, as well as the vision of every laboring woman to be treated with respect, were developed by the co-founders of The Birth Center, Mrs. Erietta Kourkoulou-Latsi and Mrs. Katerina Georgakoula, within the framework of an event, in the presence of representatives from the midwifery, medical and academic communities, women and collaborators of The Birth Center.
The Birth Center will operate in a modern space that meets current standards, setting an operational benchmark. It has been designed with the aim of creating a warm space that combines safety, while offering a holistic birth experience, providing comprehensive services at every stage of labor, with the care, tranquility and intimacy that every woman needs.
Mrs. Erietta Kourkoulou-Latsi, co-founder of The Birth Center, stated: “The goal of our Center is not for every woman to give birth in water, nor to diminish those who choose to bring their child into the world in the environment of a maternity ward. The goal is for our Center to serve as a hub of information and empowerment for every pregnant woman, so that wherever and however she chooses to give birth, she has the knowledge she needs in order to demand the respect she deserves, and assert her rights within a system that considers her a passive recipient rather than an active participant in her own childbirth.
Ms. Katerina Georgakoula, midwife, co-founder and CEO of The Birth Center stated: “Today we are presenting the first freestanding Birth Center in Greece, The Birth Center. Our vision is simple and profoundly human: to empower women. Our desire is to advocate for every woman’s right to give birth with respect. With knowledge and love, we create an environment where every woman will feel free, confident and safe to bring her child into the world in the way she desires. Together with our experienced midwives, we will support all women and their families. The Birth Center is preparing to joyfully and dedicatedly welcome a new reality for maternity care in our country.”
At the same time, a discussion was hosted among specialized professionals from the fields of midwifery and obstetrics. The empowerment of women in childbirth, the importance of choice, the midwife as a healthcare professional, collaboration as a union of vision and strengths and the assurance of quality and safety were among the topics discussed, moderated by journalist Ms. Anastasia Yamali. Participants on the panel included Mrs. Eleftheria Dimopoulou (Midwife, President of the Association “Eftokia”) Mrs. Irini Platsa (Midwife, MSc Head of Quality Assurance, co-founder and board member of the Hellenic-British Midwives Association) and Mr. Leonidas Papadopoulos (Vice President of the Hellenic Society of Gynecological Endoscopy and CEO of the LITO Clinic). Moreover, a message was presented from the internationally recognized expert in the field of natural childbirth, Dr. Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho (Senior Lecturer and Director of the Global Maternal Health MSc program in the Midwifery Department at City University of London, co-founder and CEO of the Midwifery Unit Network and Lead of the MUSA-Framework). Through her work, Dr. Rocca-Ihenacho has contributed to the establishment and successful operation of Birth Centers in many countries, contributing to the enhancement of the quality of care for expectant mothers.
Additionally, the audience had the opportunity to watch testimonials from women, while a pop-up photography exhibition was hosted, capturing the profound experience of natural childbirth, highlighting the strength, confidence and love that accompany it. Focusing on the woman, The Birth Center aspires to evolve the approach to pregnancy and childbirth in Greece, creating a space where every woman has the power and support to experience birth: with respect, love, confidence, safety and the assurance that she can bring her child into the world in the way she desires.
The long-term goal of The Birth Center is to also function as a hub of information and empowerment of women, so that they can make decisions after being fully informed about their childbirth and, in this way, claim their right to give birth as they wish.
About The Birth Center
The Birth Center is the first freestanding Birth Center in Greece. A primary healthcare facility that offers evidence-based and comprehensive care and support, providing women with the opportunity to give birth naturally in a safe environment. The Birth Center aims to offer every woman the choice to experience childbirth as she dreams it. Through personalized care based on the midwifery model of care, women have the opportunity to experience childbirth in a way that meets their personal needs and desires, within a safe and familiar environment. The Birth Center, which is expected to open to the public in 2025, will be housed in a modern facility with very high operational standards, in the heart of Athens, at a pivotal location, ensuring easy access to and from the Birth Center, while being in close proximity to the LITO Clinic with which there is a close collaboration and interconnection. The founders’ team wishes to create an environment where women will be at the center and feel empowered to give birth to their children with love, respect and care.
