A Guide to Giving Birth in Calgary: Arbour Birth Center
The Arbour Birth Centre is a unique and welcoming facility in Calgary, Alberta, known for its calm, home-like atmosphere and family-centred approach to birth. Nestled in the heart of our city at 1616 20A Street NW, the Arbour Birth Centre is just minutes from the Foothills Hospital. The Arbour Birth Center was established in 1994 by Diane Rach. It was the first freestanding Birth Center in Western Canada and for over 30 years, it has provided a supportive environment for more than 1200 families who are seeking an alternative to home or hospital births.
Getting There and Parking
Access to the Birth Center is available from the west on 16th Ave NW. Simply turn into the Birth Center's parking lot, which is located on the east side of the building. See a map and parking here.
About the Facility
The Arbour Birth Centre in Calgary is thoughtfully designed to offer a safe, comfortable environment for families during childbirth. Housed in a beautifully converted residence, it blends the warmth of a home-like setting with the benefits of a dedicated birthing facility—something many families find appealing. The space provides the comfort and familiarity of being at home, along with the added resources and amenities that support a positive birthing experience. There are three birthing suites available, and families are welcome to choose their preferred room upon arrival in labour. While it is possible for more than one family to be at the Birth Centre at a time, it’s quite rare—most often, you’ll have the entire space to yourself.
Inside the Arbour Birth Centre, you’ll find a cozy living area furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs—a relaxing space where family members and friends can wait or take breaks during labour. The Centre is also thoughtfully equipped with a selection of toys to help keep young visitors entertained throughout their stay. One of its standout features is the full kitchen, which allows families to prepare their own snacks or meals during labour or after baby arrives, adding to the home-like comfort of the space.
The Suites
THE ROSE SUITE
The Rose Room is the largest and most popular suite at the Arbour Birth Center. It has bright yet calm ambiance created by south-facing bay windows and soothing accents around the room.
Things you will find in the Rose Suite:
A large, open space perfect for families who have larger support groups or want a space to move around as they labour
Wooden queen-sized bed, including step-up stool
A recliner chair
South- and east-facing windows
Full ensuite bathroom with a large birthing tub and frosted windows that allow lots of light but offer privacy.
A towel and blanket warmer
A bluetooth speaker
A cradle
THE IRIS SUITE
The Iris Suite is the second-largest suite at the Arbour Birth Center. It offers a bright and comforting atmosphere. There is a large window beside the bed which has a soft bench, providing a welcoming spot for you or your support people.
Things you will find in the Iris Suite:
A comfortable space perfect for families looking to have a more intimate birth experience
Double-sized bed
Recliner chair
Spacious bathroom with a large air-jetted birthing tub and frosted windows that allow lots of light but offer privacy.
Towel and blanket warmer
Bluetooth speaker
THE POPPY SUITE
The Poppy Room, while the smallest of the birth suites, is adored for its tranquil ambiance and inviting intimacy. Its layout is carefully designed to soothe both the mind and body, fostering a sense of relaxation and security.
In the Poppy Suite you will find:
Double-sized bed
Wooden rocking chair
Full ensuite bath with a air-jetted tub (the deepest of the 3 tubs at the Birth Center) to recline and rest between contractions
Towel and blanket warmer
Bluetooth speaker
“What are some of the advantages of using the Arbour Birth Center?”
There are many advantages to using the Arbour Birth Center including:
Alternative to Home Birth: It is perfect for families seeking an out-of-hospital birth when a home environment isn't a viable option.
Accessibility to water during labour and birth: Each suite at the birth center has a large tub and shower that can be used throughout your stay with a continuous supply of hot water available if a water birth is desired.
Quiet, private environment: This private environment allows families to focus fully on their birthing experience without the obligation to care for others (including pets) during labour.
Personalized Support: There are no limits on support people which allows for a more personalized birth experience.
Pain Management Options: Beyond natural comfort measure, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available for pain management, providing additional choices for managing discomfort.
Customize your birth space: Families are welcome to use candles, aromatherapy and customs of their culture.
No Mess at home: No worrying about any mess or clean up after birth.
Do I need a midwife to use the Birth Center?
Yes. The Birth Center does not provide its own medical staff, so you must be under the care of a registered midwife to give birth here. The Birth Center does allow doctors to use the space; however, there are currently no doctors who practice out-of-hospital birth. If you do not have a midwife and would like to use the Birth Center, you can apply for care here. To find out whether your midwife has been oriented to use the Birth Center, you can check this list here.
How long can I use the Birth Center?
When you go into labour, you simply call your midwife, who will assess your progress and help decide the ideal time to head to the Arbour Birth Center. Unlike a hospital setting, there’s no strict requirement to labour at home for as long as possible. Instead, you and your midwife will determine when your labour is well-established enough for you to move to the center. In some cases, you might first be assessed in the centre’s triage room on the lower level before being admitted into a birth suite. This collaborative decision-making ensures that you can arrive at a time that minimizes discomfort and allows you to settle into a welcoming environment. After your baby is born, your stay typically lasts between 2-4 hours and during this time, your care team may use the kitchen to make you a warm, post-birth meal. Ultimately, the duration of your time at the center is tailored to your unique needs, as determined in consultation with your midwife.
Bringing Baby Home
According to Alberta law, all infants must travel in an approved, rear facing car seat. Your midwife will check that you have a car seat to being your baby home in, but they are not able to check that you are using it correctly or that you have it installed correctly in your car. Ensure that you do your research before your baby arrives and educate yourself on these topics. See Alberta Health Services How to keep your child safe in the car handout or check the manual that came with your carseat.
Once you are home, your midwife will continue to care for you for 6 weeks following your birth. She will let you know when you should see her next and if she will come to you or if you will be going in to the clinic. You can also access the Alberta Health Services Early Start Line (for babies under 8 weeks) where you can talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day at (403) 244-8351.
Extra Support at Home
We recommend planning for support once you are home. Look at your support network and the things that will need to get done so that you can focus your energy on resting, recovering, and getting to know your baby. How are you going to plan for nutritious meals? Who will walk the dog? Who is taking care of household tasks? Talk to your friends and loved ones before your baby arrives or book professional support like a postpartum doula who can help with infant feeding and care, light household tasks and meal prep.
We hope this guide will help you feel more confident as you prepare for your birth at Foothills Medical Centre. Follow us on Instagram at @welcomebabyco for new blogs and posts on all things pregnancy, birth and babies!
Welcome Baby Co. is a Calgary-based company. We are happy to support all kinds of families through all kinds of birth and postpartum. Our goal is to prepare you for any scenario that may arise so that you can feel confident and empowered as you enter parenthood.
If you have any questions about Calgary birth doulas, Calgary postpartum doulas, breastfeeding support in Calgary or our Prenatal classes in Calgary, please contact us.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website/blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.