Check out these links on our new St. Louis Park Birth Center:

Laurie Stumph Photography

Birthing a new option - Star Tribune

Seeking New Clients

In case you were wondering, we are taking new clients in the Twin Cities!  We are seeking clients for the new year, but are also very willing to meet with families due in December, who would like to consider a birth center option.

We offer, customized care, a loving atmosphere, and professional services.  Our slogan says it all:"Wisdom of Ages, Science of Today"  Call Nicole at 612-92-BIRTH to set up a free consultation and tour.

Read Paula's Blog

As soon as she can, our director, Paula Bernini Feigal, will be blogging about all things Morning Star! Check back soon for a link.

Thank you Bradley Instructors!

We were delighted to be asked to attend an informational meeting and networking opportunity with a group of Bradley Method Childbirth Educators from the Twin Cities on Friday, August 14th!  We look forward to cross referrals and healthy professional relationships for many years to come.

Morning Star is excited to announce our expansion into the Metro Area!

Here is a July 1st update from our Director

Dear Friends,

So much is happening during this busy time, and I have admittedly been remiss in relaying progress updates with you all regarding the new Morning Star Birth Center! 

We are thrilled to welcome Kristine Lauria, our new midwife, to the Morning Star staff! Kristine is a Certified Professional Midwife with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Kristine has been a primary midwife since 1992, has attended more than 900 deliveries and has precepted many student midwives both in the US and abroad. See Kristine’s full bio at www.MorningStarBirth.com under the “Meet Your Midwives” page.  Kristine will be the primary full-time midwife at the new St. Louis Park location. She and I will be working closely together during these summer months (when I’m not away for family weddings or special birthdays!) until the new facility is up and running smoothly.

On June 8th, due to the increasing number of Twin Cities’ clients starting care with Morning Star, we began scheduling prenatal appointments at Blooma in Edina (www.Blooma.com). Blooma is a great resource for pregnant mothers, offering prenatal yoga, classes and other groups! Minnesota families can call Morning Star (at our Menomonie office) to schedule a prenatal appointment or consultation. We see clients there on Mondays and every other Saturday.

Perhaps you already know, but I had chosen to purchase property rather than renting space for the new birth center, and have been in the process of purchasing property at 6111 Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park since February. I know, I know, leasing a space would have been a much quicker process, but I intend for Morning Star to be around for a long, long time, and didn’t want the insecurity of having to relocate because the property owner wouldn’t/couldn’t renew a lease!  No one anticipated that financing would take so long, but we are happy to tell you that TODAY, July 1, we received the financing commitment letter from the bank and are on track to close the deal!!  During these uncertain and volatile economic times, this has been a huge hurtle, and we are thrilled to be moving forward!

Well, the next logical question is….”When will it be open?!?” Disappointingly, we also just found out during a Phase II environmental inspection, that asbestos was found in various parts of the building. Obviously, this presents an unanticipated problem, one of cost and an additional time delay. We expect the seller to assume all, if not most of the cost of the abatement, and rest assured, I will not compromise any standard of safety and quality, and the job will be done right, even if it takes some extra weeks.

So, while we are anxiously waiting for closing documents to be readied, the architect’s plans are being brought to the City for final approvals, sub-contractors are bidding their various jobs, I am selecting finishing materials, fixtures and equipment, in addition to planning marketing and public relations, selecting and securing a birth center advisory board, and preparing for accreditation! To say we are busy moving this project forward is an understatement!

We are anticipating a closing date of no later than July 30. After that, I have been assured that construction will take 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, Morning Star is looking for a temporary home in or very near St. Louis Park. We need a dedicated space, residential or (appropriately) commercial on a short-term basis, as we only need it through September, while we’re waiting for our “permanent’ home to be finished! Please email our office if you have any information on a property that might suit our needs. You can also telephone us at 715.231.3100.

Thank you all for your support and patience, and most of all, your encouragement and enthusiasm during the “birthing” of the first modern Twin Cities Freestanding Birth Center! I am proud of and humbled by the task before me, and look forward to celebrating with you at our Grand Opening!!  Join our Facebook page “Morning Star Women’s Health and Birth Center” and spread the word!

Morning Star Rises & Shines
The Dunn County News - Nov. 2003
There are places that have a "good feeling" about them. One gets an immediate sense of positive vibes. Obviously, such is the case of the new Morning Star Women's Health and Birth Center, located at the corner of 13th St. and Stout Road in  Menomonie...  Read Full Article >>