This week we celebrate national midwives week. Midwives do indeed make a difference. No matter where or when you birth, having a midwife will make the difference.
Updating this campaign again after filling in more blanks.
Through our own investigation and via employees, we know know that Parkview Regional Medical Center will now have a residency program for OBGYN. Meaning and yes verified. Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) will roll out this new program November 1, 2023. The main purpose for an OBGYN is surgical purposes, higher risk pregnancies that need more specialized care and pregnancies that need managed during labor, birth and postpartum.
While grateful for the opportunity for those interested in obstetrics, this means a great shift in who may birth at PRMC. As of November 1, Parkview midwives will be transferred over to Parkview Randillia. While it has been confirmed that the midwives will sill be able to attend some births until the end of the year, most families who had intentions are now being force to go to Parkview Randillia.
Where will Parkview get these patients that are "high risk" to come birth at PRMC? Well......Dekalb and Lagrange family birthing centers of course. That is if families one, choose to drive to PRMC, and not another hospital. Or they simply pay out of network prices. Who will be suddenly defined at "high risk" well those at the end of their pregnancies who suddenly develop Gestational hypertension, or Gestational Diabetes and talk to you about early induction because of size of baby. Maybe you all ready are high risk and have been receiving wonderful care. I'm so thankful you are being compassionately cared for.
The point is, Dekalb Family birthing center was shut down because PRMC needs more birth to train 14 new residents. Not because there is a shortage of OB's. Not because they couldn't find any to come here. Because Parkview pays their physician's very well. Over market value in fact.
So again, Parkview is putting money over families. I'd say if they cared about Obstetrics at all they would invest in midwifery schools along with an OB residency program.
Parkview has still not responded to any inquiry on this matter and blatantly refuses to acknowledge the community and our questions.
Where have our beloved Auburn Midwives gone? They are STILL here, and they have been working SO hard behind the scenes getting emergency rights with Lutheran Health Network to provide continuing care for the families they serve. Auburn Obgyn will continue to serve communities for years to come.
The Auburn Birth Center Co-owned by Stephanie Vanderhorst and Dr. Weghorst is still an option for birthing families who qualify with low risk pregnancies. Please check with your insurance and or your HSA, you may be pleasantly surprised how Birth Center investment is about the same as your medical deductible. At this time state insurance can not be accepted at any free standing birth center or home births.
We will continue to fight to reopen the doors to Dekalb hospital Family Birthing Center.
Please continue to share our campaign. Thank you all! Michelle