Exciting news, everyone!
Last fall, the nonprofit group I direct, Birth Matters Williamsburg, conducted a small survey to assess local women’s opinions of maternity care at Sentara Williamsburg: what they liked, and what they would like to see changed. The results of that survey can be viewed here.
In November, I met with Sentara Williamsburg administrators to present the results and discuss options. It was a very positive meeting.
This month, I received word from Sentara about changes they have implemented in the time since we met.
While our community’s request for nurse midwives at Sentara Williamsburg has not been met, a number of positive changes have been made, including:
- a change in policy so that mothers who have had C-sections may now have their babies with them during recovery if mother and baby are both stable
- the purchase of a telemetry fetal monitoring unit so that women requiring continuous electronic fetal monitoring can be out of bed and mobile during labor
- the installation of two larger labor tubs so that women can labor in water (although I do not believe water birth will be an option)
- further education of staff on supporting birth plans and breastfeeding
All of us at Birth Matters Williamsburg are thrilled about these changes!
When any new policy is established, it can take time for the changes to become habit for the staff implementing them. If you are a mother giving birth at Sentara Williamsburg, know that these options are now official policy. If you encounter challenges in receiving care in line with these policies, **speak up** so that hospital administrators can ensure that all staff are carrying out the new policies.
Please direct any feedback — both positive and negative — about your experience at Sentara Williamsburg to Jaime Sanderson, Director of Patient Care Services. She is a kind and lovely woman who is very receptive to hearing what Williamsburg women have to say! Here is her contact information:
Jaime Sanderson
Director of Patient Care Services
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
100 Sentara Circle
Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Many thanks to all who provided feedback last fall — your input has made a difference in our community!
Please spread the word about these new developments at Sentara Williamsburg so that local mamas can know their new options!
Thank you so much for this information. I am due with second child in April 2013. The labor tub and c-section change are wonderful. Thank you so much for your work.
Congratulations, Milissa, on your pregnancy, and thank you for your kind words!
That’s wonderful
I have been following your blog for awhile but this is my first time to comment. We currently live in New Zealand but are moving back to the US (to Williamsburg) inJuly 2013. We had our 1st baby here and are expecting #2. Most births here are midwife attended and I had such a great experience – very different from what I imagine the typical American birth is like. It’s encouraging to hear that some of the medical centers are listening to the wants and needs of the community and making positive changes. Thank you for doing this!
Thank you, Jenny! I am so excited about these changes, and the women in our community have not given up hope on getting certified nurse midwives at the hospital — though it may take a lot of work and time to get them there! I agree that midwifery care is phenomenal; my first birth was midwife-attended, and I will seek midwifery care for any future pregnancies as well! In Williamsburg, we do have multiple home birth midwives who will attend home births, if that may be of interest to you someday. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Looking forward to meeting you in 2013!
Thanks for sharing this information about the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Family Maternity Center with your blog audience. We are happy to serve the needs of our moms in the community and appreciate the feedback and support.
Any CNM’s birthing babies there?
Lois, unfortunately, for now, the answer to that question is no. We have not given up hope, however! Williamsburg women are regularly driving to Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond to receive midwifery care, and would love to have that option in Williamsburg! We haven’t given up hope yet!