Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 10, 2026 CHA Birth Center to reopen on July 6 C After six years it will again welcome birthing families Special to The Advocate ambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a community health system serving Cambridge, Somerville and Boston’s metro-north communities, will reopen CHA Birth Center on July 6, 2026, after a six-year hiatus. CHA Birth Center closed in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. It reopened for prenatal care later in 2020 but remained closed for deliveries due to staffing shortages, operational challenges and infrastructure concerns. Recognizing the need for increased maternal health access in our communities and data from the Commonwealth showing the strong benefits of midwifery and birth center care, CHA engaged a leading consulting firm to support reopening planning. CHA Birth Center’s reopening means more growing families will have an opportunity to receive the type of highly personalized and culturally appropriate care they deserve. At a time when many maternity units and birth centers are under strain, CHA is committed to providing maternal health access for its diverse communities. As part of its commitment to maternal health equity, and to ensure patients feel seen and heard, CHA has 19 doulas who speak 13 different languages to support birthing people before, during and after labor. “We are proud to offer the CHA Birth Center as part of our excellent options for childbirth and maternal health services,” said CHA CEO Assaad Sayah, MD. “It responds to community-identified needs and expands our high quality maternal health options for our communities.” “This is a milestone achievement for Cambridge and a signal to women everywhere that we can and will keep making progress on maternal health,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. “I’m so grateful to all of our state and loCHA leaders, staff, elected officials and community partners celebrated the reopening of CHA Birth Center at an open house on June 16, 2026. cal leaders who helped make this day possible. We’re going to keep fighting for a healthcare system worthy of every mother in this community and a future worthy of the children who will begin their lives at CHA.” Located in a Victorian home, CHA Birth Center includes amenities like large walk-in showers and soaking tubs for water births. The first floor of the completely renovated CHA Birth Center has a reception area, three exam rooms, a living room and a kitchen for patients and families. Families are welcome and encouraged to be part of the birth process. The second floor features three renovated birthing rooms, with new soaking tubs for waterbirths in two rooms. Waterbirths offer advantages like warmth and pain management, deeper relaxation and faster labor times. CHA’s certified nurse midwives are trained in the latest waterbirth best practices and techniques. Across the street from the birth center, CHA operates its hospital maternity service — recognized on Newsweek’s 2026 list of best maternity hospitals. While the CHA Birth Center welcomes everyone, there will be a special focus on vulnerable and underserved populations who will benefit most from midwifery care and a birth center experience. CHA Birth Center expects to welcome more than 100 new babies in the first year, increasing to about 300 by the fourth year. On June 17, CHA held an open house to celebrate the Birth Center reopening, with a robust speaking program featuring many local legislators: Congresswoman Clark, State Representative Marjorie Decker, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and Cambridge City Councillor Patty Nolan. Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD spoke alongside CHA Board of Trustees Vice Chair Claire Laporte and Mount Auburn Hospital REOPEN | SEE PAGE 11 Exterior of CHA Birth Center.
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