Holding out hope

Update for those who don't know: despite lots of support and fundraising, we came up short. Today (May 31) is the last day of OB at BHMH.


I'm at a loss. The OB Department at the hospital where Catherine was born is in trouble. If they can't raise $600,000 by March 10, they will close the doors. The community will suffer a horrible loss if women can no longer birth their babies under that roof. For a small hospital in a rural area, BHMH offers great obstetric care in a loving environment. They have just three (!) beautiful rooms for labor, delivery and postpartum - you don't have to move. There's a gorgeous, spacious tub room with a tropically themed mural. And best of all is a staff and facility philosophy that pregnancy is not a disease. Labor and birth are not medical conditions. They believe in the power of women and their bodies, and allow women the choice of birthing as they see fit. After a traumatic experience with Elizabeth's birth, the staff at Blue Hill went out of their way to provide me with the experience I craved. Even when I ended up with another c-section, the mood was celebratory - a baby was being born. I wasn't separated from Catherine for more than a few minutes, and went right back to my room as soon as they had me put back together.

The nurses and doctors at Blue Hill want the best for mothers and babies and their families - many of them have been there for decades. Rose and Retta and Dr. Walker are institutions and have caught countless babies. I would pray that women in the area could continue to have access to good obstetric care in a loving family environment. I have a knot in my stomach at the thought of losing this wonderful place.

If you live locally, Saturday, February 28 is Bellies for Bellies, a fund-raiser to save Blue Hill Memorial Hospital OB Department, starting at noon at the Blue Hill Consolidated School featuring a bellydance jam, belly art, street performers and silent auction. Saturday, March
7 is a Massage-a-Thon, held at the Maine Grind coffee shop in downtown Ellsworth.

If you feel like making a donation to help the cause, contributions can be mailed to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, c/o Henrietta Clews, P.O. Box 1653, Blue Hill 04614. Checks should be made out to BHMH-OB, and the check or an accompanying note should designate that the contribution is for the Save the OB campaign.