Empowered Pregnancy Birth Center and Women’s Wellness Clinic in Kirkland hosted its grand opening on May 9, welcoming the community to explore the new facility.

At the event, staff offered tours and refreshments. A ribbon cutting ceremony was also held by the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re so excited to have you here,” chamber marketing director Beth Gale said to owner Kimberly Johansen. “We wish you lots of success and we know there will be lots of babies and lots of joy brought here.”

Empowered Pregnancy, is an out-of-hospital birth center and woman’s wellness clinic that believes in facilitating natural childbirth whenever possible. According to its website, the staff takes the time to carefully monitor the physical, psychological and social well-being of both the mother and baby.

The birth center is the only out-of-hospital center in the greater Seattle area owned and operated by a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and one of only two birth centers in Washington owned and operated by a CNM.

Puget Sound Midwives & Birth Center, another out-of-hospital birth center that has been in Kirkland for several years, is operated by certified professional midwives.

The birth center and woman’s wellness clinic offers certified nurse-midwifery care services including labor and delivery in one of the center’s birthing suites; doula services including birthing and postpartum services; women’s wellness services including yearly exams, nutrition counseling, emotional support and more; and an education series including breastfeeding, postpartum, nutrition 101 and more.

“It’s taken a village to build this birth center and it’s going to take a village for us to serve all the women in the area,” Johansen said at the grand opening. “I’d like to thank everyone who’s helped us so far.”

Empowered Pregnancy Birth Center and Women’s Wellness Clinic is located at 13114 120th Ave. NE.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article’s headline incorrectly stated how many out-of-hospital birth centers are located in Kirkland. The headline has been corrected to reflect this.

Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce welcomed Empowered Pregnancy, PLLC to the community with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 9. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo

Kimberly Johansen talks to guest about the center at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on May 9.

Craig Johansen talks to guest about the Empowered Pregnancy Birth Center on May 9. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo

Empowered Pregnancy offers certified nurse-midwifery care, doula services, women’s wellness services, and educational series. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo

Empowered Pregnancy Birth Center and Women’s Wellness Clinic located at 13114 120th Ave NE, Kirkland. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo