The original Childbirth Center (CBC) was founded in 1976 as a free standing, ambulatory, Birth Center by Lonnie Morris, CNM. The CBC was only the fourth Birth Center founded nationally and the first in New Jersey. Nearly 10,000 women enjoyed the unique benefits of birth at the center under a midwifery model of care with outcome statistics second to none. Our statistics for C-Sections has never been higher than 9% versus 35- 50 % in local hospitals. Foceps and vacuum rates remain low at .02% versus 6% in other local hospitals.

The center was forced to stop performing deliveries in the facility due to an astronomical increase (over 10 fold) in malpractice insurance costs despite no losses and unrealistically low HMO reimbursements.  Lonnie and her colleagues are now delivering at Palisades Medical Center under a midwifery model of care. We are fortunate to have excellent collaborative physicians in Dr. Mark Brescia and Dr. Thomas Migliaccio who fully support the birth center model of care.  The hospital has instituted and supports the birth center model of care that has consistently delivered outstanding birth outcomes.