Best Start is the longest established, first state-licensed, nationally accredited, free-standing birth center in Southern California. That means we are not part of a hospital or HMO. It is a private practice operated by midwives. Midwives attend all of the births in the birth center.Best Start provides prenatal care, birth, recovery, post-partum care, well-woman care, and contraceptives for our clients. We specialize in water birth as well as offer free pregnancy testing. We serve San Diego County and surrounding areas.