LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The CHI Health Birth Center in Lincoln celebrated its fifth year in operation on Thursday and the 200 babies born there over those years.

Katherine Yunghans, a nurse midwife for CHI Health, has been with the center since the beginning.

“It just feel like it’s gone by really quickly, and we’re really excited that we have all of these babies to kind of come back and see and greet us,” she said. “You know, some of them are probably going to be starting kindergarten pretty soon, so it’s exciting.”

It is illegal for certified midwives to attend home births in the state of Nebraska, so having a place where women can give birth in a homelike setting is important for the folks at CHI.

The birthing center near 84th and O Streets, which is the only free-standing one in the state, is for moms who want less pain management and to take their baby home faster.

One such mom is Shelby Hackbart, the first mom to ever give birth in the center.

“We just liked the idea of a more home-like birth with kind of just the comfort of the setting here … and we felt welcomed and loved by the midwives,” she said.

The birthing center has three delivery suites. Each one has a big bed and a large tub.

CHI said one mom give birth there today, on the center’s birthday, to a baby girl.

If you or someone you know is thinking about using the center, CHI says to visit during business hours.

CHI does not recommend the birthing center for women with at-risk pregnancies or who have had a previous C-section.

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