Opening an accredited birth center would start with understanding what the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) promotes as exemplary models of free-standing birth centers. Creating environments that emphasize family centered care for low risk maternity patients in an out-of-hospital birthing facility. Alongside the AABC, is an accrediting body that is not affiliated with, but works in tandem to promote accreditation of freestanding birth centers, the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). Birth Centers can be owned and operated by midwives or physicians or hospitals. When you think about accrediting a birth center, again you need to go back to state regulations. About half the states in our country have state licensure regulations that are additional to an accreditation process. Some insurance companies are likely to mandate both state licensure and accreditation before reimbursing for a facility fee. Additionally, some states do not require accreditation of your birth center or have regulatory requirements. Optimal safe practice is best provided by meeting minimum requirements of CABC accreditation. There is a cost associated with accreditation as with any oversight organization that provides recommendation of quality review. However, Grow Midwives believes this is the most rigorous process demonstrating public safety and accountability. We believe this is a requirement for safe care in all birthing facilities.