Willow Wish

Willow Wish supports the human and civil rights of birthing people to choose a birth place supported by best evidence regardless of their ability to pay.

Willow Wish is a gift program seeking to make the Birth Center experience available to any family in Arizona who would choose a Birth Center setting, regardless of their ability to pay out-of-pocket. Although the midwifery care at the Birth Center is generally covered by insurance, the facility fee of $3,500-5,000 is not. This amount remains the responsibility of the birthing family. We are writing gifts to deserving families because it is our belief that peaceful, evidence-based care should be an option for all.

Evidence shows that patients at Birth Centers are having better outcomes than consumers of the traditional hospital system. Birth in the United States is currently dominated by the doctor-hospital model system. The US has higher rates of infant and maternal mortality than in comparable countries, even though we spend more per capita on patients than any country in the world. Evidence shows that patients at Birth Centers have higher rates of breastfeeding, lower rates of cesarean birth, higher patient satisfaction, and lower rates of forceps delivery. All these factors lead to better outcomes for mothers and babies. This kind of patient-centered care has the potential to reverse the abysmal maternal and infant mortality rates that mothers and babies face in our country.

We are hosting several events this year to build on the success of our January 2021 fundraisers. Our year-end fundraising goal is $65,000, and we are hoping that you will help us reach that goal. By becoming one of our donors, you will help us fund more gifts for Arizona families who are wishing for a Birth Center experience. Thank you in advance for your generosity. We could not do what we do without amazing donors like you.

Willow Wish is currently writing gifts for the four birth centers in Arizona that are accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). The four birth centers we serve are Babymoon Inn (Phoenix), Blossom Birth & Wellness Center (Phoenix), Flagstaff Birth and Women's Center (Flagstaff), and Willow Midwife Center for Birth & Wellness (Mesa).

Testimonials

"Around the time I found out I was pregnant, my husband and I were having a really hard time. Receiving Willow Wish opened the doors for getting the self-care we both needed to take care of ourselves and to bring another baby into this world. It turned our lives around completely. I know how important it is to feel not only reassured but empowered when you are bringing a baby into this world, and allowing your the way that you and your body and your baby need to work together to bring a baby into this world. At a birth center, not only do you feel empowered, you are respected and you are surrounded by all these other women that believe in you and I believe that every woman deserves that. I'm just so grateful that Willow Wish can provide this for other women. I would encourage people to donate to help women get the birth that they dream of. It's not something impossible and it shouldn't feel impossible. It's something that every woman deserves. I used to think that needing help meant that you were weak. But it's not. It means that you have people who care. So thank you for caring about women and their rights, and allow them to experience such a beautiful moment as they bring a baby into this world." ~Nereyda, Spring 2018 Willow Wish Gift Recipient

We moved from New York City a little over three years ago to pursue our dream of opening our organic bakery and starting a new life here in Arizona. At that time we did not have health insurance. As we were doing our research we found out that almost all insurance considers being pregnant is a pre-existing condition. Which is ridiculous! The insurance who did accept us would not cover any of the maternity care. We also found out about small business insurance, but that would have been almost $2,000.00 a month, which we could not afford.
Willow Wish is a great cause. It helps families like us continue to move forward with our birthing plan. We are so happy that programs like this exist. It goes to show you that people care and help those who are in need. Soraya and Daniel, February 2020 Willow Wish Gift Recipients

My overall struggle through pregnancy was the inability to receive insurance. My job where I serve tables and bartend unfortunately did not offer any insurance plans. I was also denied AHCCCS benefits. I have to say I am grateful for organizations like this that help women create the birth experience they want and deserve without the help of insurance. I know the lack of insurance options can be stressful, but thanks to the Willow Wish gift, it didn't prevent me from having the birth experience I wanted. ~Lauren, March 2020 Willow Wish Gift Recipient