A free-standing institution one not directly attached to a hospital where women come to give birth, often attended by certified nurse-midwives; also called alternative birthing centers or simply birthing centers. Maternity centers have been developed with the resurgent midwife movement, partly in response to what was seen as the cold, invasive, impersonal nature of what had become traditional hospital delivery. Maternity centers encourage a more relaxed, personal approach to childbirth, with birth taking place in a relatively homelike atmosphere and with birth partners and sometimes also other family members in attendance.