Why More Portland Families Are Choosing Midwives: Trends and Benefits
Photo By Natalie Broders
Portland has seen a major shift in recent years as more families choose midwifery care, birth centers, and out-of-hospital birth options. With Oregon consistently ranking among the top states for community births, local parents are seeking care that feels safe, personal, connected, and aligned with their values.
At a time when modern healthcare can feel rushed or impersonal, birth centers like Alma Midwifery offer something different: relationship-based, evidence-informed, and deeply human care from pregnancy through postpartum.
Here’s why midwifery is growing so rapidly across Portland—and why so many families are choosing midwives as their prenatal, birth, and postpartum providers.
The Growing Trend in Oregon: Why Midwifery Is on the Rise
Oregon has one of the highest rates of out-of-hospital birth in the country, and it’s no coincidence. More families are increasingly seeking births that feel calm, grounded, and intuitive—supported by providers who trust the natural process of labor while still offering expert medical knowledge and training.
Midwifery-led care is associated with:
Lower rates of cesarean birth
Fewer inductions of labor
Lower intervention rates overall
Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
For many Portland families, the combination of safety, autonomy, and personalized care is exactly what they’re looking for.
Insurance Is Making Midwifery More Accessible
You might be wondering, does OHP cover midwifery care? Yes! Many Oregon insurance plans are hopping on the Midwifery wagon and are increasingly making this kind of care a covered option for families.
This shift has made midwifery care significantly more accessible for families who may not have considered it before. As awareness grows, more Portland parents are discovering that midwifery care is both financially attainable and strongly aligned with how they want to give birth.
Click here to see our insurance partners.
Families Want Continuity of Care
In many traditional medical settings, it’s common to see a different provider at each appointment. Midwifery care is intentionally different. Families build consistent relationships with their midwives throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
That level of trust creates safer, more positive birth experiences.
Photo By Natalie Broders
What Makes Midwifery Care Different?
Longer, More Personalized Visits
Traditional prenatal care often allows 10–15 minutes per appointment. Midwives take a different approach. Visits typically last 30–60 minutes and focus on the whole person, not just clinical measurements.
We fondly refer to this as relationship-based care—a slower, more intentional model that supports your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. There is time to ask questions, work through fears, and build genuine connections.
A Calm, Comforting Birth Environment
Birth centers offer a warm, home-like environment with:
Soft lighting
Spacious birth tubs
Free movement and intuitive laboring
A quiet, supportive atmosphere
Your body knows how to birth—and midwives create the conditions to let it do that.
Options and Autonomy
Whether you choose a home birth or birth center birth, you remain in control. Midwives support your preferences, help you make informed decisions, and prioritize autonomy at every stage.
Parents often report feeling deeply empowered because they had agency and partnership in their care.
Safe, Evidence-Based Practice
Midwives are highly trained medical professionals who know how to identify when a birth is progressing normally and when additional support is needed. They maintain working relationships with local hospitals to ensure seamless transfer if needed.
Safety and autonomy exist together in midwifery care.
Why Portland Is the Perfect Place for Midwifery Care
Access to a Wide Range of Local Resources
Portland families have abundant access to supportive services that complement midwifery care:
Lactation consultants
Acupuncturists
Chiropractors
Naturopaths
Pelvic floor therapists
Support groups and community circles
The culture here supports whole-person care and families feel that difference.
Inclusive, Community-Centered Support
Portland values diversity, compassion, and respect. Midwifery care is often especially affirming for:
LGBTQ+ families
Single parents
Blended or nontraditional families
Families seeking trauma-informed support
Everyone deserves a birth experience rooted in dignity.
Considering Midwifery Care in Portland? We’re Here for You.
Most individuals begin prenatal care in early pregnancy, but it is never too late to reach out and transfer your care to Alma.
The Alma Midwifery team is here to answer your questions, review insurance coverage (including OHP), and help you understand your options for pregnancy and birth in Portland.
If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, you can contact us here.