The Lane County Friends of the Birth Center consumer advisory group is pleased to announce we have new members – Maria Blum, Anna Connelly and Lynn Kane. We also bid a fond farewell and many thanks for their hard work and commitment to our outgoing and founding members – Renee Bailey, Karen Guillemin, Kathy Lynn and Eleanor Vandegrift. Katharine Gallagher will remain an active member. Incoming and outgoing members look forward to being in touch for a smooth transition. Learn more about these founding and incoming consumer advocates below.
LaneCoFBC is the PeaceHealth Nurse Midwifery Birth Center’s volunteer-led consumer advisory panel. Our existence and activities meet the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers’ requirement that accredited birth centers (1) have effective mechanisms for receiving advice and information from consumers and (2) demonstrate the effect of this input on the policy and operation of the center. Toward these ends, the LaneCoFBC has quarterly board meetings, in addition to biannual meetings with Birth Center staff and PeaceHealth leadership. We maintain an email account, blog and a Facebook page:
o lanecofbc@gmail.com
Be sure to “like” our Facebook page as this is where we make announcements and post fun, interesting and informative items.
Maria Blum
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
My son was born at the old birth center in 2006. If I can't live in an Arts and Crafts house, at least I got to have a baby in one!
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
I loved the client centered service, the view of birth as a normal process rather than a disease or illness, and the home like atmosphere of the birth center. To me, consumer advocacy means viewing individuals as the experts in their own lives, and valuing that expertise.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
The first half of my pregnancy was in the UK, where midwife care is the standard, not the exception. I'm a social worker and like to knit and read in what little spare time I have.
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
Iris was born at the birth center in May of 2008.
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
The amount of time given by midwives and staff during appointments and not feeling rushed, but rather feeling their concern that all my questions were addressed. It was a level of caring attention that I had not before experienced from the medical field.
Why is consumer advocacy important?
Ordinary people need a voice. Not simply to make a choice between what is presently offered, but to actually have a say in which services or products are offered. We can all make our own choices, but is it a truly free choice if we have no say in what our options are and are forced to pick from a limited line up of services or products? Especially if there's more services or products that could be available, but they're just not being offered.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
Hmm... before becoming a mama to Iris, I was a legal assistant for 8 years and, even after 3 years away from it, I still identify with that profession- to an extent. Presently I'm in flux and feeling my way around for the various directions my life is taking. However, there are three prime areas of self-education and interest that occupy my mind and time. First and foremost, I'm in the process of healing myself internally primarily in order to be the parent I want to be to my daughter, so I've been studying gentle parenting and non-violent communication. Tied into parenting is a leaning toward homeschooling/unschooling with my daughter, which I'm also researching. Second, I feel compelled toward breastfeeding and birth advocacy, but have yet to see exactly what my role will be- that is, whether it takes on any sort of profession or moves more toward activism and advocacy. Last, I will soon (after my small studio area in my house is complete) get back to my painting. I haven't painted a single thing in over 7 years, but have never stopped 'seeing' paintings in my mind that I want to put to canvas or board. I'm increasingly anxious to have this particular creative outlet again, and also to share it with my daughter.
Katharine Gallagher
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
I have two boys – Eitan (6) and Zev (4). I discovered the Birth Center during my pregnancy with Zev in 2007.
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
I love that the Birth Center’s model of care yields optimal outcomes for mothers, babies and families and by extension the community as a whole. Its seamless maternity care follows women, babies and families from the prenatal period well through the postpartum period. After birth, families are provided coherent infant feeding services including drop-in access to Baby Clinic where they can talk with lactation consultants as well as with other mothers. Supportive friendships frequently form at Baby Clinic.
Why is consumer advocacy important?
As the receivers of care, consumers have a unique perspective to offer on practice and policy. Making this perspective part of on ongoing feedback loop takes advantage of this insightful and beneficial information
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
I recently joined the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers as a consumer advocate. I also blog at motherbabynetwork.wordpress.com and teach independent childbirth education.
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
Our daughter Lydia was born in February 2010 at the hospital (before the new birth center was open)
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
There are many things I love about the NMBC, but overall it was the positive and holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. More specifically I really appreciated our Centering group. It was so fantastic to have so much time with the midwives, so much invaluable information, and the support of other wonderful parents throughout the whole nine months (and beyond--we still get together for regular potlucks!).
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
I am a classical pianist and spend much of my "free" time collaborating with other musicians at the University and around town. We love having lots of music around our home!
Outgoing Members
Renee BaileyWhen was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
Charlotte 1/2/08, Penelope 10/24/09
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
My favorite thing about the birth center is how much I feel apart of my own care there. I really enjoyed weighing myself at each appointment. It might seem a small thing, but this simple act made me feel like they trusted me and because they trusted me I felt I could trust them.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
I'm enjoying the new hobbies that have popped into my life post-motherhood: cooking and baking, blogging (about cooking and baking), and running.
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
My older daughter was born in May 2003 at the old Hilyard Street hospital with midwife Sue Armstrong, who was then at Women's Care but subsequently joined the NMBC. My younger son was born in December 2007 with Chris at the old Birth Center.
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
My favorite thing about the Birth Center is the sense of partnership and camaraderie that one develops with all of the staff. The whole prenatal care process allows you to build up close relationships with the staff and confidence in your own knowledge and intuition for the birthing process. I also really appreciated how much they include the whole family. It was incredible for my four year old daughter to hear her future brother's heart beat and to follow my pregnancy through regular Birth Center visits.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
Although I'm rotating off the board, I'm looking forward to continue working with the Birth Center in a research project I'm conducting with Dr. Rebecca Bent at PeaceHealth (http://www.peacehealth.org/about-peacehealth/medical-professionals/eugene-springfield-cottage-grove/Pages/TRAP-Research.aspx). It's very exciting for me that my research interests in the biology of animal development and interactions with microbes has some possible implications for neonatal health. We discovered than an enzyme in the digestive tract, alkaline phosphatase, confers protection against bacteria. We are testing whether this enzyme is present at lower levels in premature infants (by measuring its level in meconium) as compared to full term babies. If we find this to be the case, this could be a new explanation for certain digestive tract complications experienced by premature infants, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Because breastfeeding is the best treatment against NEC in premature infants, we are also interested in determining whether this enzyme is present in breast milk and especially in colostrum. Birth Center clients are a perfect group to study this possibility because they have such a high rate of breastfeeding and work closely with the lactation consultants.
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital?
Aria was born October 17, 2006 at the Birth Center. Jasmine was born on August 12, 2009 in Houston, TX but the midwives and nurses played a significant role in helping me to induce lactation and provided support to us during baby clinic.
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
My favorite thing about the Birth Center is having a resource that provides such exemplary pre-natal, childbirth and post-natal support to women, babies and families.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
A person detail: I have a deep interest in talking with others about adoption as way to build a family, as well as the possibilities that exist related to milk-sharing and induced lactation.
Eleanor Vandegrift
When was your baby (babies) born using NMBC services at the Birth Center or hospital? My first baby was born in November 2007 at the Birth Center in Eugene and my second baby was born in July 2011 at the new Birth Center in Springfield.
What's your favorite thing about the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center?
I love that the staff of the Birth Center care about me as an individual and care about my family as well. Even when they are busy, everyone always takes time to stop, look me in the eyes, and discuss whatever is on my mind. I have received this type of care throughout my prenatal appointments, labor/delivery, postpartum recovery, and on going lactation support. It's amazing to receive such support during this time of major life change surrounding the birth of a child.
A personal detail - examples: profession, hobby, dream for the future
In addition to being a mom, I am an instructor in the Teaching and Learning Center at the UO, and I love my work helping students to succeed academically.
