Since hearing of the impending closure of the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center, I’ve been participating in my first protest of anything. Yet, my births were in-hospital, and I’m done having babies, so why?
I fight for the birth-center model of care because of my own birth experiences. The birth center and midwives give an empowering, calm, assured experience throughout pregnancy and in-hospital.
I’ve also discovered the many research articles establishing that birth-center models of care are the best models for low risk pregnancies. In addition, the lactation care I received was amazing and much needed. I didn’t have to go to a foreign place to get help; it was at the birth center.
Finally, I was impressed with the quality of care during my wellness visit. The midwife was thorough in her exam and listened intently to my concerns and addressed them. I will be returning to the birth center for all my future gynecologic visits, or I’ll return to my lack of preventative healthcare.
I want all mothers to have access to this empowering way of approaching women’s health and birth. PeaceHealth sent a few empty invitations for the Lane County Friends of the Birth Center to join in a discussion of how to lower in-hospital birth risks.
I would say: “PeaceHealth, you have the answer in the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center! Stop being lazy and begin looking for more permanent options to keep it open.”
Melissa Wilberger
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
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