Birth care that puts people first.
Evidence-based midwifery care and birth justice in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Explore prenatal, birth, postpartum and well-woman care, family education and our AABC membership.
What is People First Birthing Center?
People First Birthing Center is a community birth center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, offering midwifery-led prenatal, birth, postpartum, and well-woman care, along with family education.
What model of care does the center follow?
People First Birthing Center follows the evidence-based Midwifery Model of Care. We believe reproductive healthcare is a human right, and care should respect each person's dignity, culture, and informed choices.
What education is available for families?
Our family education includes childbirth education, infant and toddler CPR and first aid, and support for new and expecting parents. Contact the center for current class dates and availability.
How do I request an appointment?
Use our appointment request form to share your preferred service and date. Our team will contact you to confirm the details; submitting a request does not confirm an appointment.
Is People First Birthing Center an AABC member?
Yes. People First Birthing Center is a member of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC). Membership is distinct from birth center accreditation.
Where is People First Birthing Center located?
We currently serve families at Calle Hostos 103 in Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo. The future birth center is being built in the hills of El Choco / Sosúa Arriba, overlooking Sosúa Bay on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.
What is the founder's vision for care?
Founded by H.E. Metropolitan Frumentius, the center grew from the conviction that every woman has a God-given and human right to dignified, respectful maternity care, with an opportunity to pursue physiologic childbirth when it is her informed choice and clinically appropriate.
What does the evidence say about maternal and midwifery care?
WHO estimates a 2023 maternal mortality ratio of 124 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Dominican Republic (80% uncertainty interval 86–185), while maternal mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean declined only 16.8% from 2000 to 2023. Global modeled evidence—not a Caribbean-specific forecast—estimates that fully resourced midwife-delivered care could avert 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths and 65% of stillbirths by 2035. Population statistics do not predict individual outcomes; safe care includes screening, informed choice, timely referral and emergency support.
What does Evidence Based Birth® say about racism and birth justice?
People First Birthing Center is a Supporting Member of Evidence Based Birth®. Evidence Based Birth® explains that racism is present in maternity care and that racial health disparities are caused by racism, not race. Its anti-racist, inclusive values align with our commitment to safe, respectful, evidence-based and empowering care for every birthing family.