Freestanding birth centers are closing as maternity care gaps grow

By: Anna Claire Vollers, Nada Hassanein

Outlets: Stateline

Published: January 5, 2026

Words: 2,053

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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Dr. Heather Skanes opened Alabama’s first freestanding birth center in 2022 in her hometown of Birmingham. Skanes, an OB-GYN, wanted to improve access to maternal health care in a state that’s long had one of the nation’s highest rates of maternal and infant mortality.

Those rates are especially high among Black women and infants. Skanes’ Oasis Family Birthing Center opened in a majority-Black neighborhood, offering midwifery services as well as medical care.

But about six …

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