The Birth Center, the first independent natural childbirth center in Greece, was inaugurat

Source: ProtoThema English

The Birth Center is the first independent Natural Childbirth Center in Greece—a primary healthcare facility that provides evidence-based, holistic care. It offers women the opportunity to give birth naturally in a safe, non-hospital environment, allowing them to experience childbirth as they have envisioned it.

Following its official licensing, The Birth Center began operations in August 2025, and several babies have already been born within its warm and welcoming spaces.

Guests were welcomed and guided through the specially designed facilities in Nea Filothei by the Center’s co-founders, Mrs. Erietta Kourkoulou-Latsi and Mrs. Katerina Georgakoula, who spoke briefly about the philosophy, goals, and challenges behind this pioneering initiative.

Mrs. Erietta Kourkoulou-Latsi stated:

“This is the purpose of our Center — to inform women so that wherever and however they give birth, they are prepared, empowered, and determined to demand a respectful birth. This is the only way to change the system. We often say, ‘All’s well that ends well,’ but childbirth does not mark the end — it marks the beginning. The beginning of life. The beginning of motherhood. The beginning of a mother’s relationship with her baby. And the beginning is of immense importance.”

Mrs. Katerina Georgakoula added:

“Our vision was born from our shared realization that birth is not, and should not be treated as, a medical event. It is a life experience — a moment of power, transition, and deep humanity. The International Confederation of Midwives defines childbirth as a social, cultural, and emotional event, an integral part of family life. Every woman should experience it with respect and care, according to her needs. Our goal was not merely to create a space, but a community — a place where science, knowledge, and care meet trust in the body, trust in the natural process of childbirth, and ultimately, trust in birth itself.”

The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Marianna Latsi, Mr. Paris Kasidokostas-Latsis, and Mr. Philip Kourkoulos-Latsis, while the Hellenic State was represented by Minister of Health Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Mrs. Domna Michaelidou, Deputy Minister Mrs. Elena Rapti, Member of Parliament Mrs. Nefeli Hadjiioannidou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health Mrs. Lillian-Venetia Vildiridis, President of EOPYY Mrs. Theano Karpodini, and representatives of the Region of Attica.

The original article: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/10/15/the-birth-center-the-first-independent-natural-childbirth-center-in-greece-was-inaugurated/ belongs to ProtoThema English .