All women deserve choice around where they give birth, according Launceston's consumer-run birth centre, which will officially re-open in September after months of uncertainty.
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In February the centre, which has been operating since 1983, announced it was set to close after years of trying to secure endorsed midwives on a permanent basis.
It was also struggling financially, due to a lack of paying clients.
However committee member Anna Holloway said the centre's future now looked stronger than ever, with a permanent midwife due to arrive on September 6 and 14 clients already booked up until March.
"We spent many years advertising for an endorsed midwife. We had a few takers, but they didn't end up coming," she said.
"So we just got to the place where we didn't have many clients and we were borrowing midwives. But we couldn't keep doing that and the centre couldn't run.
"Fortunately, our calls were answered."
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Located at 14 Frankland Rise, the birth centre provides an alternative choice for women who do not wish to give birth in a hospital.
Along with securing an endorsed midwife, a $50,000 federal funding grant for capital works has also allowed the centre to be renovated.
Ms Holloway, who is also a registered midwife, said the expansions would allow the birth centre to host more group gatherings, including the possibility of antenatal classes.
"The birth centre has never been big enough to host gatherings like this," she said.
"That was a really big plus for us, because women want to get together.
"There is no private antenatal classes in Launceston. So it's an avenue we want to explore.
"It's a possibility. It means we can do that for the community, not just for our own clients."
Ms Holloway said the committee had been overwhelmed with support in recent months, adding all women should have options available to them.
"I think it's absolutely crucial for women to have a choice," she said.
"It's been there for so long now, that people just expect that and it would have been devastating if it had closed.
"I have a granddaughter and to think she wouldn't have the opportunity in 20 years time or whenever.
"It's about offering the choice."
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Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
