We extend our heartfelt thanks for your interest and support of a new birthing option for our region.....a free-standing birth center. A birth center is a home-like facility typically staffed by Certified Nurse Midwives who provide care to healthy women throughout normal pregnancy, labor and birth. Birth centers focus on prevention, safety, family-centered care and cost-effectiveness. Click here to learn more. Perhaps you took our survey this fall, or joined our Facebook page, or asked to be on our email list, donated money to become a member of our Wonderful 100…or all of these. As we dream of what can be, your outpouring of support feeds our energy. We thank you!
The purposes of our survey were to 1) assess prenatal and birth experiences of WNC women, and 2) measure their support for a free-standing birth center, staffed by Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Here’s what we found:
• The majority of the nearly 800 self-selected respondents were college-educated,white females, ages 18 to 34, from Buncombe and Henderson Counties.
• Most respondents had at least one child and over 50% had received maternity care from a CNM.
• In general, midwifery patients reported more face-to-face time with their provider, greater satisfaction with their prenatal care and a more positive birth experience than their counterparts obtaining maternity care from a physician.
• Ninety-seven percent (97%) of respondents felt that a birth center is needed in the region, citing the important benefits of midwifery care, a home-like environment, being an active participant in one’s care and quick access to a hospital.
• Over 50% said they would travel 30 – 45 minutes to obtain care at a birth center.
More detailed results are available here.
The results of our survey will guide us as we create the business plan and a “case for support” to reach potential funders. Those are just two of the multiple steps required to move from our dreams to the reality of that first mom greeting her new baby at the birth center. Fortunately our survey yielded not only many valuable quantitative results, but there was also an enormous qualitative benefit. Over 250 of you used the “Comments” section of the survey to offer suggestions and encouragement and to volunteer your skills, time and other resources. As this initiative progresses, we take heart from your willingness to assist us on our journey.
We are also committed to being good stewards of donated funds. Money raised now will allow us to join the American Association of Birth Centers ($1,110) which offers a variety of national resources and consultation services to its Birth Center members. Funds will also be used to cover the costs of maintaining a web presence, printing, postage and gas, all required to publicize our activities and communicate/visit with sister birth centers. Now is the time to make your first donation to the WNC Birth Center. Be part of the first 100 individuals donating at least $25 and your name will be added to the Wonderful 100 list on our website, at our displays and eventually posted in the center. Donations can be made via the link at the bottom of each page, or by mailing a check to:
WNC Birth Center
PO Box 2853
Weaverville, NC 28787
Look for updates on both our website and Facebook page. If you would like to be added to the WNC Birth Center Advocates email list, please click here. We look forward to keeping in touch with you!
With sincerest gratitude,
The WNC Birth Center Team - "Trusting Birth"
Judy Major, MPH, CD(DONA)
Stacey DiMuzio CD(DONA)
Jan Verhaeghe, CNM, MSN
Pat Durham CD(DONA), LCCE (Lamaze)
Adrianne Gordon, MBA, CD(DONA)
Sara Levine
We regret that this donation is not tax-deductible as we do not yet have 501(c)(3) status.
Donate via link above or by sending a check to:
WNC Birth Center
PO Box 2853
Weaverville, NC 28787
