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Making Midwifery Care Accessible to All

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Every woman deserves a midwife, yet for many, the cost of care is a significant barrier. The Center for Birth, led by a mother-daughter midwifery team who have worked together for over a decade, is committed to removing financial obstacles so that no one is denied compassionate, skilled midwifery.

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This commitment began in Owner + Director Darlene’s previous practice in Washington, where she accepted Medicaid and provided one free birth each year to a family in need. Although Medicaid reimbursement rates were low, they still helped cover some basic costs, making it possible to serve underserved communities. When Midwife Bri later took over that practice, she went even further by offering one free birth every month, demonstrating a profound dedication to ensuring that all women have access to the care they desire.

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Today, The Center for Birth continues this tradition in Texas by offering two free births each month. Unfortunately, the Medicaid reimbursement rate in Texas covers only a fraction of the actual expenses involved in prenatal and birth services, making it unsustainable to continue at this level without additional community support. Moreover, statistics show that limited access to midwifery care disproportionately affects women of color and refugees, and The Center for Birth remains determined to address these inequities.

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To further this mission, the midwives donate a portion of their time, and a dedicated donation page is now available for anyone who feels called to help. Whether it’s purchasing prenatal vitamins, funding childbirth classes, or covering part of a mother’s prenatal care, every contribution directly increases access for Fort Worth families. Each quarter, The Center for Birth will spotlight a specific family in need, allowing donors to either contribute directly to that family or make a general donation that supports the broader community.

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Stay tuned for details about the Annual Fundraising Gala, where friends and supporters of The Center for Birth can connect further with this vital cause. By working together, it is possible to ensure that every woman—regardless of her financial circumstances—receives the midwifery care she deserves.

From a Mama Bear ..

Jan 1

We Curtis are known as a tight knit bunch within our circle of friends and family. Rick and I intentionally raised our children with a foundation that family comes first! That may sound counterintuitive because of the times that we put other families before our own. But that is why it was important to us that our children knew their family “had their back” no matter what it was. Our family loves us often in spite of ourselves, they keep us grounded and humble with our roots firmly planted, nourished with unconditional love. As my children have grown and now as I see our grandchildren maturing into young adults, I have come to understand this simple fact; being this close is a blessing and a curse. 


I am a proud member of the “Mama Bear Club.” I am confident you other Mama Bears can relate when I say we love our cubs with an unparalleled ferocity. I wear that title with pride and sometimes a bit of chagrin. For me, it is as simple as “do not hurt my baby.” When people follow that small rule, we get along beautifully and if they do not, well that is where the chagrin comes in at times it can be impossible to reign in my Mama Bear when she is protecting her cub! As a mama-bear, it means I too feel the pain inflicted upon “my cubs” as if it were my own heart that was injured. I hate to admit that at times it can be challenging to keep that hurt from making me lash out irrationally. A few weeks ago, someone commented that, “Center for Birth/Bri Curtis is just Origins recreated.” I was stunned. I sat there staring at those triggering words while I read them over and over. In turn, I was comforted by those who immediately responded in support of “their” Midwife Bri.


I keep reflecting on what that woman’s words meant, and it stings. The reason for the prolonged sting is that it could not be further from the truth. Yes, I understand that sometimes even with the best intentions we fall short. Birth is sacred in our family. I grew up listening to stories of my ancestors as midwives and healers. I have witnessed Bri as she too is filled with the unmistakable calling to serve women and their families. I understand she is not perfect, none of us are, but she has a servant’s heart. Often, our clients are unaware of the trials and tribulations we are going through. As it should be. Frankly, there is little room for our personal issues when supporting someone during one of their most cherished journeys. It is our duty to shield them from our personal pain: forever smiling, loving “our” mamas, and celebrating as a new little Texan is born. 


To be clear, I feel like it is important to acknowledge that people have a right to share their stories, and they absolutely should. Sometimes those stories are full of sadness, grief over a disappointing birth experience. Then, we add in the fact that we as midwives may be responsible for that experience feels sharp and at times jolting. Especially when we fail one of our mamas. We love the women and families that we serve, it is what we were born to do. Yes, we are human and no, we cannot please everyone.


But we can strive to. 


This is what I have witnessed in my daughter since we bought the birth center, we now call the Center for Birth. She worked for four months straight without a single day off to ensure the mamas from her Blue Heron practice were cared for, that those women who started their care with Origin’s were carefully transitioned into the care at Center for Birth with minimal disruption to their birth plans. This meant taking dozens of women in varied stages of their pregnancy, caring for them and attending their births without compensation. Zero. Yep, you read that correctly.


She did this because she felt strongly that it was more important for women to be well supported and cared for during the change in ownership, than it was to make money at a time when every dollar counts. She would rather risk failure in this endeavor than cause a single family any angst as they pondered what would happen to them and their birth plan in addition to financial concerns when the transition occurred.


As an experienced small business owner for 24 years, I was deeply concerned. I knew how critical the first year was for us to enjoy success or suffer failure. However, it was clear that there was no debating this with her. She had complete faith and confidence it would be “fine” and for her to know we would not be causing these mamas any unnecessary strife meant more to her than anything else in that moment. I was and continue to be so proud of my “cub.” As her Mama, since she was a curious little toddler up to now, I walk this journey with her in support of her goals. Supporting her means I share in her triumphs and her failures. Her happiness and her sadness. I walk with her, and I feel the good and bad deep within my soul. And here I am, watching in awe of her, doing what she was called to do just like our grandmothers before us. 


I have learned over these last few years that transparency and vulnerability go hand in hand. I felt like it was my duty to set the record straight as the proud Mama of Midwife Bri; and who could blame me? 


Center for Birth is not simply a copycat of the other birth center. This story is a lovely example of what Bri DOES stand for. She authentically loves each family she cares for and always gives her absolute best effort to advocate and educate them. She genuinely shares in each family’s excitement as the birth-day grows near. She happily puts everyone’s needs before her own, not only with her clients, but anyone she loves, especially our family. So, for me, it is obvious that she loves what she does, and it feeds her soul in such a beautiful way. The more her cup gets filled, the more she can give! She will choose what is right, not what is easy with a light that shines the brightest when she is caring for “her” mamas and their sweet little babes in arms.



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