Birthwise Midwifery School, an educational institution that has been a fixture in Bridgton since 1994, closed its doors at the end of 2021.

Those doors will remain closed.

During its 28 years of operation in Bridgton, Birthwise trained over 300 midwives from all parts of the United States and Canada. The majority of currently practicing licensed Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in Maine are graduates of Birthwise Midwifery School. 

The Board of Directors’ decision to close its operation in Bridgton was a difficult one, driven by Covid-19 pandemic related financial strain and the difficult transition from a privately held corporation to a non-profit that was initiated in 2019. 

Birthwise was founded by Heidi Fillmore, a Certified Professional Midwife, as a training program for midwives who provide care to people choosing to give birth at home or in a free-standing birth center. The first home of the school was in the brick bank building (currently Oberg Insurance) on Main Street and as the school expanded Heidi purchased the historic brick Samuel Andrews II home on South High Street in 1999, where it stayed until its closure in December of 2021. 

Birthwise thrived as a licensed and nationally accredited post-secondary institution, recruiting students from many states and Canadian provinces, and participating in the Title IV Student Financial Aid program for 20 years. 

The historic building was renovated to accommodate the school and a birth center, The Birth House, was added to the rear of the facility. The numbers of students increased to a peak enrollment of 75 in 2018. The staff grew to 10 members and faculty was drawn primarily from around the state of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 

It was the founder’s intention to convert the corporation to a non-profit for many years, and it finally happened in January of 2020. During this transition, Heidi retired from a 26-year tenure as executive director, a Board of Directors was recruited, and a new ED was hired to lead the non-profit. Heidi continues to operate The Birth House, a midwifery clinic and free-standing birth center providing care to pregnant folks who choose to birth at home or at the center.

As the school closes its doors, Birthwise extends a sincere thank you to all those in Bridgton “who helped us grow and welcomed our students into the community with open arms.” Many in Bridgton rented rooms or apartments or employed Birthwise students through the years and the First Congregational Church made overflow parking available to students when enrollment increased. Students commented on how welcomed they felt as they frequented local businesses and churches — thank you Bridgton!

As staff and volunteers pack up 28 years of accumulated furnishings, equipment, teaching tools, artwork and supplies at the facility on South High Street, there is a mix of sadness for the closing and gratitude for the work that was accomplished and the learning and growth that has gone on within those walls. The mission of the institution from its founding was to educate skilled and compassionate midwives who support the natural and normal process of pregnancy and birth and guide clients to be healthy and feel empowered in their birth experiences. “We are proud that we have contributed to that mission and thank all who have helped make that happen.” 

The Board of Directors is hopeful that a new Birthwise Midwifery School will arise in another location in the future and are working on a strategic plan to re-open in Detroit, Mich. within two years. 

If you feel moved to send Birthwise off with some well-wishes or share your connection with the school over these 28 years, you can e-mail comments to info@birthwisemidwifery.edu. We will pass these memories and wishes to the Board to support and guide their work in the future.