About
Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate and satisfying evidence-based health care and education, support services for parents, and provide patient-centered care at all times.
We improve access to care for underserved populations; provide education to patients and the community; and serve as a clinical training site for students in the healthcare fields.
Do you know that the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries?
Commonwealth Fund recently reported that the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. was 24 deaths per 100,000 live births — more than three times the rate in most other high-income countries. Conversely, midwife-assisted births have a higher rate of positive outcomes with 3.27 deaths per 100,00 live births.
For a recent article, see “U.S. Maternal Mortality Hits Highest Level Since 1965” (WSJ, March 2023).
A birth center is a healthcare facility for childbirth where care is provided in the midwifery and wellness model. The birth center is freestanding and not a hospital.
Birth centers are an integrated part of the healthcare system and are guided by principles of prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention and cost-effectiveness. The birth center respects and facilitates a woman’s right to make informed choices about her health care and her baby’s health care based on her values and beliefs. The birthing person’s family is welcome to participate in the pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Lilac Health is consistently delivering patient-centered and evidence-based care so that families can have more compassionate birth experiences.
By expanding the number of birth centers, we aim to eliminate maternity care deserts ensuring access for everyone to top-tier inclusive maternity care.
Asheville Birth and Wellness Center is the result of this vision. Inaugurated in March 2023, our Asheville location was chosen because we recognize the city’s vibrant culture and its residents’ appreciation for alternative birthing choices. Lilac Health saw a golden opportunity to introduce and elevate the birth center experience.
Philosophy of Care
We believe that compassionate healthcare for clients throughout the lifecycle, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, has a substantial and beneficial effect on the family and the community.
Philosophy
Birth is a normal, healthy, empowering life event for the client and family. Learn about our ten-point platform of care.
Our Team
Our eight-person clinical team boasts an extraordinary level of midwifery experience. Among our four senior-level midwives, three of them are former birth center clinical directors.
Payment Policy
Asheville Birth & Wellness Center is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Aetna and Christian Healthcare Ministries (“CHM”).
We are actively working on other providers as well including Medicaid.
Insurance:
Your out-of-pocket cost will vary depending on your insurance benefits. You can have your benefits verified to determine your estimated patient responsibility.
Cost-sharing Plans:
We’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Christian Healthcare Ministries. (All other cost-sharing plans will be treated as self-pay.)
For more information about their cost-sharing program, visit chministries.org.
Payment Plans:
Clients choosing the self-payment option should budget for a comprehensive package that covers prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. A discount is available to self-pay clients who settle their payment in full upon the agreed payment date.
We recently partnered with CareCredit to provide additional financial support to our clients, click here to learn more and apply now.
Facility.
FAQ
Your pregnancy care at Lilac Health starts with an orientation visit, which can happen any time in your pregnancy, ideally around 7-8 weeks. Our new patient slots tend to fill up quickly, and we do cap the monthly number of deliveries we take on for each due date!
Ultrasounds and genetic screening blood work should be done around the 10th week when possible before your first pregnancy wellness visit.
Our birthing center allows low risk birthing people to self-determine their journey to childbirth within the midwifery and birthing center models of care. Low risk means healthy, without any pregnancy complications, no prior cesarean births, and not pregnant with twins.
No, all Lilac Health babies are born at the center. We do not offer home birth services.