The first free-standing birth center to earn accreditation in New Jersey by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers

Virtua Health is proud to announce the recent accreditation by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) earned by the Virtua Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center. The Center has the distinction of being the only free-standing midwifery center in southern New Jersey and the first and only free-standing birth center to receive CABC accreditation in the state of New Jersey.

Birth centers who seek CABC accreditation invite rigorous evaluation of the quality of services that they provide to their birthing families and uphold established standards of excellence. The staff at accredited centers also continue to engage in on-going learning and quality improvement through internal and external review processes.

Birthing families of CABC accredited birth centers can be assured that their center’s adherence to the strict requirements of the CABC will enhance the support and exceptional care they receive for themselves and their babies. Accredited centers utilize best practices in maternity care which ensures their staff is up-to-date on the latest research and has the proper training and equipment to provide safe care in the event of an emergency. Additionally, all CABC accredited birth centers utilize the shared decision-making process. This process ensures that birthing families have a voice in the decisions made during the birthing process. Truly hearing what birthing families have to say also gives the birth center staff a better understanding of what families need as they journey through pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and new parent experiences. Since 2022, Virtua Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center has been a member of TeamBirth NJ—a model of shared decision making based on enhanced communication between birthing families, midwives, and birth center staff during labor, birth and postpartum.

“I am so very proud of our Team and appreciative of their efforts during the rigorous CABC application process and site visit,” said Karen McEvoy Shields, CNM, MSN, FACNM, Director of the Virtua Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center. “We are so pleased to be the first free-standing birth center in New Jersey to have obtained this accreditation. This achievement is confirmation of the Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center’s commitment to providing the highest quality maternity care including a supported physiologic birth experience in a safe, intimate, individualized, and family centered environment.”

For birth centers, CABC accreditation demonstrates accountability and commitment to providing high quality maternity care to childbearing families, maternity care colleagues, and the communities they serve. Virtua Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center is proud of this achievement which recognizes the expertise of all its midwives and birth center staff who are truly dedicated to ensuring the best birthing experience and outcomes possible.