The days are getting closer. The last scheduled c-section is on September 19th. Parkview removed any medically needed inductions from the schedules last week. There was a nursing going away party thrown.
Does it feel like people have given up on hope that this unit could remain open? Yes....yes, it does. I’m fearful as well.
Why are birthing options being depleted in areas that need birthing options? Why is this hospital still not telling us a reason for shoving excellent independent midwives out of the hospital? They were two-thirds of the births that walked in those doors. There would be more if some pregnancies didn’t need special care.
I know several mothers who have had traumatic births in hospitals but cannot find the midwifery care they desire or homebirth midwives with open availability. Instead, They would give birth alone, educate themselves, and take that chance before stepping into a hospital setting. While I and many birth workers support all options of birth. It feels bleak that choices like that are being made out of fear.
Our community needs these midwives in this hospital that has been proven year after year to have better birthing outcomes. You can not force women to give birth where they do not wish to. Parkview's motto says that "...a not-for-profit is legally and ethically bound to "do good" for the benefit of its community...earnings are reinvested for the benefit of the community."
Parkview even states, “Parkview is committed to making healthcare accessible to those who need it, regardless of where they live, their health status or ability to pay. Over the years, thoughtful planning and community input has guided Parkview’s expansion of services and facilities. We are dedicated to improving your health and inspiring your well-being by reinvesting dollars into community organizations and initiatives who share this same mission.”
How is forcing people to drive 40-plus miles to get to Parkview Regional Medical Center with its 16 labor rooms or Parkview Noble with its three labor rooms, being committed to serving families WHERE THEY LIVE?
How is forcing families to try to find transportation to meet with providers for prenatal care and think they may still have a chance (although highly unlikely) during birth? Placing a Parkview Midwife in Dekalb Hospital but not allowing her to attend births at Parkview Regional Medical Center in the patients’ best interest?
What works is continued care throughout the entire pregnancy, labor, delivery and birth. Here at Dekalb Hospital, we have that with the Auburn OBGYN midwives. But Parkview refuses to continue to allow them to practice there.
The midwives are the ones who are dedicated to improving health and inspiring well-being because they have continued to do so for over a decade. They reinvest their hearts and souls into the community. They don’t make money off of birthing families. They make a fair and honest wage. Keep our birth center at Dekalb Hospital in Dekalb County, Indiana, with the Auburn OBGYN midwives and Dr. Weghorst. This is what the community needs!
WE NEED DEKALB HOSPITAL IN AUBURN INDIANA.