The proposal to end the services provided by Riverbend midwifery is a gross misunderstanding of the essential function of the place and her people.
Midwives have been an integral part of the birthing process for time beyond measure and their prolonged contact is a soft pillow during the plunge into parenthood.
While the nurses at the hospital proper are excellent in every way, it’s comforting beyond words to have someone you’ve met at least a few times going with you into the fray.
The statistics and accounts of the many benefits of the midwives’ diffusion of techniques and practices should be enough for this establishment not to be so casually tossed aside.
Speaking as a first-time parent, the close-knit support given in the months leading up to and on through labor, and beyond, is paramount in ensuring a newborn lands in a calm, inviting environment able to handle various challenges as opposed to everyone involved into the pod without anyone knowing how to swim.
I urge those with authority to rethink the idea of closing this house due to a perceived lack of value. It has all the value in the world considering these midwives bring the world home every day.
Harry Kephart
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
Comments are closed.