Request From a Current Client

I received an email from Lorna Mason, a current "ESCbC" client, and am posting it on her request. She voices her concern over perceived lack of support for the midwives from St. Vincents. If you share her concerns, she encourages you to contact Karen Milano, Administrative Director of the Department of Medicine, at 212.604.7651

Hi Kristen:

I have become increasingly disheartened by the lack of support St. Vincent's is giving to the midwives. I recently had a conversation with Stacy where it became clear that sometimes St Vincent's is not giving the the midwives the needed nursing staff and the result is that birthing or post partum mothers are transferred into the St Vincent's side of operations and taken out of the midwives birthing rooms and put into either a labor and delivery room or a postpartum room. To make matters worse if you are transferred to a semi-private post partum room and a overnight stay is required then your partner is forced to leave between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. This is wholly unacceptable.

The midwives are of course frustrated and I as a patient feel I have no recourse. Stacy suggested we contact Karen Milano one of the hospital administrators and I will do so tomorrow. I was hoping to get word out to other pregnant women under the care of the midwives and if we can work together perhaps we can get some more support for the midwives at St. Vincent's, and ensure that we have the birthing experience that we had hoped for when we signed on with ESCBC in the first place.

Thanks,
Lorna Mason

Posted by kstehle at 11:54 AM in Transition of Care | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Forward: Farewell to a Mom's Haven

Marjorie Ingall provides commentary of the ESCbC closure in Forward.

The Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, aka the ESCbC, was the focus of my life when Josie was teeny. Back when I was sleepless and isolated and convinced that I was accidentally going to drown my unearthly slippery infant in the tub because I was the most inept parent who ever walked the earth, ESCbC gave me comfort and community.

No matter how bad things got, I knew I could wheel the Josinator over to West 14th Street for new-mom support groups, CPR classes, infant massage lessons, how-to-wangle-that-infernal-sling workshops. I didn't give birth at ESCbC, but I learned a lot about how to be a mom there. And I hoped that when it came time for Josie to have a sibling, God willing, that new little person would enter the world in one of Elizabeth Seton's comfy birthing suites. My hypothetical spawn-to-be would have joined the 3,000 babies delivered by the Seton midwives over the past three decades. (Maybe even under water! In one of Seton's big ol' Jacuzzi tubs! Because I am a hippie!)

Posted by kstehle at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Monday, September 22, 2003

Update - Committee Formation

Over the past week, we have been busy reading and responding to the many emails that we have received from former clients and friends offering to donate a little of their time and/or skills to help us in our cause. We are deeply grateful for this show of support, and are in the process of organizing our volunteers into one of 5 committees: fundraising, legal, outreach, media/marketing, and computer/tech support. If you have emailed us to volunteer a specific skill, rest assured, we will be in touch very soon. If would like to volunteer and have not contacted us, feel free to email me at kristenapp@hotmail.com And thank you again.

Posted by kstehle at 07:51 PM in News and Information | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

WNYC: Labor Days Part 3 - Fred Mogul

For those who missed Fred Mogul's 3rd installment of the series Labor Days, which features the closure of the Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, you can listen to a recording at WNYC.org

Posted by kstehle at 07:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

Sunday, September 14, 2003

Update - Midwifery Practice Phone Number

When contacting the midwifery practice at St. Vincent's, please use (212) 647-6490. Esme says that this is the best number and that if they are unavailable, a voicemail message will give you further instruction as to how to contact them.

Posted by kstehle at 09:43 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

2nd Rally Postponed

Despite the incredible energy and enthusiasm from supporters at our rally on September 4th, we have decided to postpone the rally that we were planning for this week. We feel that our energy right now should be focused on establishing "Friends of the Birthcenter" as a not for profit organization, and lobbying our cause with local elected officials on an individual basis. We will keep you posted.

Posted by kstehle at 09:36 PM in News and Information | Permalink | TrackBack

Thursday, September 04, 2003

Rally at City Hall Park #1 Wrap-up

Thanks to all of you die-hard birthcenter fans who came out despite the wet weather. (Next time we'll ask for sun! I'll start the petition now.)

We are planning our next rally pending a permit to convene on the steps of City Hall. Tentatively we are shooting for Wednesday, September 17th. Details to follow. Check back later for pictures of today's event.

Posted by kstehle at 06:16 PM in What You Can Do | Permalink | TrackBack

Tuesday, September 02, 2003

Show Your Support! Gather at City Hall Park

Gather with us at City Hall Park to show your support for safe, out of hospital birth. Show your commitment to the belief that families need choices in childbirth, most notably a free-standing birthcenter in Manhattan. Show them that you will not tolerate the fact that this option has been taken away. Send our elected officials the message that reform is necessary so that families can once have the right to choose this safe birthing option.

We will gather in City Hall Park (by the fountain) at NOON on Thursday, September 4th. Some ESCbC clients have indicated that they plan to...

• Bare their pregnant bellies painted with their baby's due date (non-toxic/water-based paint please.)
• Wear a white t-shirt with their due date painted on front
• Dress their baby/child in a t-shirt painted with their child's birthdate
• Carry BIG signs with their own personal messages. Some suggestions:
  • RIP ESCbC
  • SUPPORT SAFE CHOICES IN CHILDBIRTH
  • EVERY BIRTH A GENTLE BIRTH
  • RESPECT MY BELLY
  • BIRTHCENTERS = LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS
  • PEACE ON EARTH BEGINS WITH BIRTH
  • MY BABY'S BIRTH = MY CHOICE

Do what feels comfortable to you. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your children. Bring those who are willing to stand in support of out of hospital birth.

Take the N, R, 4, 5 & 6 to City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge; 2, 3 to Chambers, Park Place or Fulton Street leaves you reasonably close; M to Chambers St; A, C & E to Chambers St.

Posted by kstehle at 09:42 PM in What You Can Do | Permalink | TrackBack

Monday, September 01, 2003

WNYC: The Brian Lehrer Show

Former ESCbC Midwife Beverly Woodard, CNM, is scheduled for an interview with Brian Lehrer on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11:40 am. You can catch the interview on the air at 93.9FM/AM820, and on the web at www.wnyc.org.

Posted by kstehle at 11:41 PM in News and Information | Permalink | TrackBack

NY1: Alternative Birthing Center In Chelsea Closing

Just in case you missed it on TV, you can check out a piece about ESCbC that was featured on NY1.

Video link: Modem users. Broadband users.

Posted by kstehle at 11:28 PM in News and Information | Permalink | TrackBack