Tell Bellevue We Want our Birth Center Back!
Target:
Bellevue Hospital Center Administration
Sponsored by:
Please join the women and families of New York City, members of the birth community, supporters of informed birth choices, and advocates of social justice everywhere. Ask the Bellevue Hospital Administration to reevaluate the decision to close the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan; the closure of the Birth Center deprives low-income women access to Birth Center care that is not only empowering and supportive, but proven to have better outcomes than hospital birth.
___________________
We the undersigned, collectively voice our shock and dismay over the closure of the Bellevue Birth Center. We are saddened that the Bellevue Hospital Administration would take away the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan. The administration closed the birth center despite the large demand for its services by the community and the outstanding outcomes the center delivered. This unilateral decision by the Bellevue Hospital Center - made without the input of elected officials, public health officials, or community stakeholders - was made without so much as an announcement, an explanation, or an offer of an alternative.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
- Has superior outcomes for mom and baby
- Is more cost-effective
- Reports extremely high levels of overall satisfaction with the birth experience
- Demands the highest levels of respect for women's bodies
- Provides continuous, hands-on support through labor and birth
- Creates a warm, comforting, homey environment where the whole family can be present
- Necessitates fewer Cesarean sections and medical interventions in the birth process - the Bellevue Birth Center consistently had a C-section rate of less than 4%, as compared to the city-wide average of 35% and more than 50% at some local hospitals!
The Bellevue Birth Center provided a standard of personalized and supportive care that is often lacking in a hospital setting. The closure of the Bellevue Birth Center continues a dangerous trend of removing options for women in their maternity care and leaves a gaping hole in birth center access for low-income women.
We expect more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women of New York City who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
___________________
We the undersigned, collectively voice our shock and dismay over the closure of the Bellevue Birth Center. We are saddened that the Bellevue Hospital Administration would take away the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan. The administration closed the birth center despite the large demand for its services by the community and the outstanding outcomes the center delivered. This unilateral decision by the Bellevue Hospital Center - made without the input of elected officials, public health officials, or community stakeholders - was made without so much as an announcement, an explanation, or an offer of an alternative.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
- Has superior outcomes for mom and baby
- Is more cost-effective
- Reports extremely high levels of overall satisfaction with the birth experience
- Demands the highest levels of respect for women's bodies
- Provides continuous, hands-on support through labor and birth
- Creates a warm, comforting, homey environment where the whole family can be present
- Necessitates fewer Cesarean sections and medical interventions in the birth process - the Bellevue Birth Center consistently had a C-section rate of less than 4%, as compared to the city-wide average of 35% and more than 50% at some local hospitals!
The Bellevue Birth Center provided a standard of personalized and supportive care that is often lacking in a hospital setting. The closure of the Bellevue Birth Center continues a dangerous trend of removing options for women in their maternity care and leaves a gaping hole in birth center access for low-income women.
We expect more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women of New York City who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
Please join the women and families of New York City, members of the birth community, supporters of informed birth choices, and advocates of social justice everywhere. Ask the Bellevue Hospital Administration to reevaluate the decision to close the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan; the closure of the Birth Center deprives low-income women access to Birth Center care that is not only empowering and supportive, but proven to have better outcomes than hospital birth.
___________________
We the undersigned, collectively voice our shock and dismay over the closure of the Bellevue Birth Center. We are saddened that the Bellevue Hospital Administration would take away the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan. The administration closed the birth center despite the large demand for its services by the community and the outstanding outcomes the center delivered. This unilateral decision by the Bellevue Hospital Center - made without the input of elected officials, public health officials, or community stakeholders - was made without so much as an announcement, an explanation, or an offer of an alternative.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
- Has superior outcomes for mom and baby
- Is more cost-effective
- Reports extremely high levels of overall satisfaction with the birth experience
- Demands the highest levels of respect for women's bodies
- Provides continuous, hands-on support through labor and birth
- Creates a warm, comforting, homey environment where the whole family can be present
- Necessitates fewer Cesarean sections and medical interventions in the birth process - the Bellevue Birth Center consistently had a C-section rate of less than 4%, as compared to the city-wide average of 35% and more than 50% at some local hospitals!
The Bellevue Birth Center provided a standard of personalized and supportive care that is often lacking in a hospital setting. The closure of the Bellevue Birth Center continues a dangerous trend of removing options for women in their maternity care and leaves a gaping hole in birth center access for low-income women.
We expect more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women of New York City who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
___________________
We the undersigned, collectively voice our shock and dismay over the closure of the Bellevue Birth Center. We are saddened that the Bellevue Hospital Administration would take away the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan. The administration closed the birth center despite the large demand for its services by the community and the outstanding outcomes the center delivered. This unilateral decision by the Bellevue Hospital Center - made without the input of elected officials, public health officials, or community stakeholders - was made without so much as an announcement, an explanation, or an offer of an alternative.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
- Has superior outcomes for mom and baby
- Is more cost-effective
- Reports extremely high levels of overall satisfaction with the birth experience
- Demands the highest levels of respect for women's bodies
- Provides continuous, hands-on support through labor and birth
- Creates a warm, comforting, homey environment where the whole family can be present
- Necessitates fewer Cesarean sections and medical interventions in the birth process - the Bellevue Birth Center consistently had a C-section rate of less than 4%, as compared to the city-wide average of 35% and more than 50% at some local hospitals!
The Bellevue Birth Center provided a standard of personalized and supportive care that is often lacking in a hospital setting. The closure of the Bellevue Birth Center continues a dangerous trend of removing options for women in their maternity care and leaves a gaping hole in birth center access for low-income women.
We expect more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women of New York City who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
We the undersigned, collectively voice our shock and dismay over the closure of the Bellevue Birth Center. We are saddened that the Bellevue Hospital Administration would take away the only Medicaid-accepting Birth Center in Manhattan. The administration closed the birth center despite the large demand for its services by the community and the outstanding outcomes the center delivered. This unilateral decision by the Bellevue Hospital Center - made without the input of elected officials, public health officials, or community stakeholders - was made without so much as an announcement, an explanation, or an offer of an alternative.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
We expected more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women in Manhattan who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
The Bellevue Birth Center provided many low-income women with an alternative to a hospital birth that is safe, comfortable, and family-oriented. A birth center, staffed with highly trained birth professionals, encourages a model of care that:
- Has superior outcomes for mom and baby
- Is more cost-effective
- Reports extremely high levels of overall satisfaction with the birth experience
- Demands the highest levels of respect for women's bodies
- Provides continuous, hands-on support through labor and birth
- Creates a warm, comforting, homey environment where the whole family can be present
- Necessitates fewer Cesarean sections and medical interventions in the birth process - the Bellevue Birth Center consistently had a C-section rate of less than 4%, as compared to the city-wide average of 35% and more than 50% at some local hospitals!
We expected more from our public hospitals and we urge you to reconsider. We call upon the Bellevue Hospital Center to re-open its birth center to the women in Manhattan who deserve equitable access to options in their maternity care.
We signed the "Tell Bellevue We Want our Birth Center Back!" petition!
# 1,300:
5:45 pm PST, Feb 9,
Hannah Peterson, Minnesota
# 1,299:
5:51 am PST, Feb 7,
Shellehy Hong, New York
# 1,298:
9:38 pm PST, Feb 2,
Esther Levy, New York
# 1,297:
2:10 pm PST, Feb 1,
Dolly Wagner, Wisconsin
Low-income women should not be deprived of quality care.
Low-income women should not be deprived of quality care.
# 1,296:
11:40 am PST, Feb 1,
Peta Hartmann, New York
# 1,295:
8:11 pm PST, Jan 31,
Erin Mears, New York
# 1,294:
3:21 pm PST, Jan 27,
Damiel Luis, New York
# 1,293:
2:43 pm PST, Jan 27,
CHRISTINE LUIS, New York
Becoming pregnant for the first time this past summer was exciting but also scary. I had seen so many horror stories about birth and wanted to proceed with an as natural as possible brth plan. I chose to get my prenatal care at Bellevue Hospital and to give birth at the Birthing Center as a result of my extensive research. The Birthing Center at Bellevue was definitely the reason I chose Bellevue. I am very disappointed that almost as soon as I began my care there, the Center was shut down. Although I have been getting great care from the midwives, I am constantly concerned that my efforts to have the best and most natural birthing environment have been cheated. It is my only concern from the whole process. I still hold out hope that by the time I give birth in April the Birthing Center will be reopened and available to me. Please reconsider closing the door on so many women who hope to have this option available to them.
Becoming pregnant for the first time this past summer was exciting but also scary. I had seen so many horror stories about birth and wanted to proceed with an as natural as possible brth plan. I chose to get my prenatal care at Bellevue Hospital and to give birth at the Birthing Center as a result of my extensive research. The Birthing Center at Bellevue was definitely the reason I chose Bellevue. I am very disappointed that almost as soon as I began my care there, the Center was shut down. Although I have been getting great care from the midwives, I am constantly concerned that my efforts to have the best and most natural birthing environment have been cheated. It is my only concern from the whole process. I still hold out hope that by the time I give birth in April the Birthing Center will be reopened and available to me. Please reconsider closing the door on so many women who hope to have this option available to them.
# 1,292:
9:21 am PST, Jan 21,
Jessica Huse, New York
New York City needs more options in birthing practices to begin with, closing a birthing center is moving backwards.
New York City needs more options in birthing practices to begin with, closing a birthing center is moving backwards.
# 1,291:
11:07 am PST, Jan 17,
Name not displayed, New York
# 1,290:
8:23 pm PST, Jan 16,
Mary Johnson, New York
# 1,289:
6:36 am PST, Jan 15,
Ash Hammond, New York
It's important that low-income women have a safe place to have their babies. Closing the Birth Center is unacceptable in my opinion.
It's important that low-income women have a safe place to have their babies. Closing the Birth Center is unacceptable in my opinion.
# 1,288:
5:51 pm PST, Jan 10,
Name not displayed, New York
# 1,287:
5:21 pm PST, Jan 9,
Ruth Hartstein, New Jersey
# 1,286:
11:34 am PST, Jan 9,
Maryann Robinson, Minnesota
# 1,285:
2:46 pm PST, Jan 7,
Katherine Erdelyi, New York
Everyone deserves the right to not be rushed into a bad birth experience. Thank you for your time.
Everyone deserves the right to not be rushed into a bad birth experience. Thank you for your time.
# 1,284:
8:19 pm PST, Jan 6,
Name not displayed, New York
# 1,283:
5:27 pm PST, Jan 5,
Emily Wethje, New York
# 1,282:
4:09 pm PST, Jan 4,
Cynthia Diaz, New York
I gave birth to my daughter at the Bellevue birthing center back in 1998. It was the best experience i've ever had. I was treated wonderfully and the emotional support in received was indescribable. I had my entire family there while in labor and giving birth. It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Please give others the chance to experience this.
I gave birth to my daughter at the Bellevue birthing center back in 1998. It was the best experience i've ever had. I was treated wonderfully and the emotional support in received was indescribable. I had my entire family there while in labor and giving birth. It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Please give others the chance to experience this.
# 1,281:
10:37 am PST, Jan 3,
Shaye Arnold, New York
I worked as a volunteer doula at Bellevue during nursing school in 2007-2008. I was fortunate enough to be part of many beautiful births there! It is so important for hospitals like Bellevue to offer this type of birthing environment to women who may not otherwise have access to a birth center. Keep Bellevue Birth Center Open!
I worked as a volunteer doula at Bellevue during nursing school in 2007-2008. I was fortunate enough to be part of many beautiful births there! It is so important for hospitals like Bellevue to offer this type of birthing environment to women who may not otherwise have access to a birth center. Keep Bellevue Birth Center Open!
# 1,280:
3:17 pm PST, Jan 2,
Debrah Cumberbatch, Trinidad And Tobago
Having grown up and lived in New York for most of my life I am extremely disappointed with this decision. Partially influenced by this Birth Center I am currently living in Trinidad where we have set up a birth center which has a commitment to provide care to low-income women. The difference it has made is amazing.
Having grown up and lived in New York for most of my life I am extremely disappointed with this decision. Partially influenced by this Birth Center I am currently living in Trinidad where we have set up a birth center which has a commitment to provide care to low-income women. The difference it has made is amazing.
# 1,279:
12:44 am PST, Jan 1,
Richard Hollister, Arizona
# 1,278:
1:48 pm PST, Dec 30,
Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra, Minnesota
# 1,277:
2:41 pm PST, Dec 29,
Susan Hodges, Georgia
# 1,276:
9:53 am PST, Dec 24,
Sheila Mahoney, Maryland
Birth Centers are a great, safe alternative for women who choose to give birth to their babies in a natural setting. Each time a Birth Center closes it reduces the options for women. I heartily support the re-opening of the Bellevue Birth Center.
Birth Centers are a great, safe alternative for women who choose to give birth to their babies in a natural setting. Each time a Birth Center closes it reduces the options for women. I heartily support the re-opening of the Bellevue Birth Center.
# 1,275:
10:04 pm PST, Dec 22,
Jaclyn Reilly, Florida
I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy in September and it was through Medicaid. I would never have had such an amazing experience, had it not been for the birthing center. Please do not take away womens rights to an amazing experience like I had!
I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy in September and it was through Medicaid. I would never have had such an amazing experience, had it not been for the birthing center. Please do not take away womens rights to an amazing experience like I had!
# 1,274:
6:33 pm PST, Dec 22,
Leticia A., Maryland
All women and families across these great United States and in the great state of New York deserve the right to have options regarding health care for themselves and their families. Please look at the pure facts and reconsider the closing of Bellevue Birth Center.
All women and families across these great United States and in the great state of New York deserve the right to have options regarding health care for themselves and their families. Please look at the pure facts and reconsider the closing of Bellevue Birth Center.
# 1,273:
9:34 am PST, Dec 22,
Maxine Williamson, Minnesota
# 1,272:
9:32 am PST, Dec 22,
Marjorie Lee, Minnesota
# 1,271:
10:15 pm PST, Dec 21,
M. Mendez, New York
How you you think of removing such an invaluable resource to our community? Please reconsider your decision.
How you you think of removing such an invaluable resource to our community? Please reconsider your decision.
Thank you. M. Mendez
# 1,270:
9:04 pm PST, Dec 21,
Amy Polk, Maryland
# 1,269:
7:39 am PST, Dec 21,
Melissa Mitchell, Minnesota
# 1,268:
9:36 pm PST, Dec 20,
Taylor Rios, Texas
My daughter is 4 months old. I could not get prenatal care until I was 7 months along because no doctor would take it. I called over 150 doctors within a 75 mile radius with no luck. I was told that "medicaid doesn't pay us enough". My daughter nearly died as a result. Thankfully, a new doctor came into town an announced that he would take all medicaid mothers-to-be. Many unborn babies have died as a result of these women not being able to receive prenatal care. Please, doctors, remember why you became a doctor - to care for people and save lives. Don't let your greed for money take away your compassion. These women and babies need you!
My daughter is 4 months old. I could not get prenatal care until I was 7 months along because no doctor would take it. I called over 150 doctors within a 75 mile radius with no luck. I was told that "medicaid doesn't pay us enough". My daughter nearly died as a result. Thankfully, a new doctor came into town an announced that he would take all medicaid mothers-to-be. Many unborn babies have died as a result of these women not being able to receive prenatal care. Please, doctors, remember why you became a doctor - to care for people and save lives. Don't let your greed for money take away your compassion. These women and babies need you!
# 1,267:
12:58 pm PST, Dec 19,
Erika Gustafson, New York
# 1,266:
6:28 pm PST, Dec 18,
Diane Carothers, Illinois
# 1,265:
2:19 pm PST, Dec 18,
Felicia Beckett, Illinois
# 1,264:
1:48 pm PST, Dec 18,
Krystal McDonald, Virginia
# 1,263:
11:03 am PST, Dec 18,
Mary Earhart, California
I ama public health nurse working with women addicts and alcoholics. Midwife-attended natural birth for these women meets their special needs, increases self-esteem, confidence and bonding and gives the next generation a chance.
I ama public health nurse working with women addicts and alcoholics. Midwife-attended natural birth for these women meets their special needs, increases self-esteem, confidence and bonding and gives the next generation a chance.
# 1,262:
10:56 am PST, Dec 18,
Name not displayed, Nevada
# 1,261:
9:10 am PST, Dec 18,
Ronnet L GROSS, Washington D.C.
# 1,260:
6:55 am PST, Dec 18,
L Conner, Virginia
Women should have the right to choose midwifery care in a non-hospital setting if they prefer a woman-centered, intervention-free / drug-free birth and bonding time with baby. Hospitals should not feel threatened by women having more choices in their care - it can only improve outcomes for all women and babies. Women deserve all of the options available to them. Let WOMEN choose. Thank you.
Women should have the right to choose midwifery care in a non-hospital setting if they prefer a woman-centered, intervention-free / drug-free birth and bonding time with baby. Hospitals should not feel threatened by women having more choices in their care - it can only improve outcomes for all women and babies. Women deserve all of the options available to them. Let WOMEN choose. Thank you.
# 1,259:
5:00 am PST, Dec 18,
Suzi Goldman, New York
Please offer moms a choice....this is so important in the beginning of their journey through motherhood.
Please offer moms a choice....this is so important in the beginning of their journey through motherhood.
# 1,258:
3:38 am PST, Dec 18,
Reneau Diallo, Illinois
Although I currently reside in Chicago, I was a former resident of NYC and employee of NYU Medical Center. As a CNM I always appaulded NYC for having the vision to provide alternative models of care for childbearing women. In Illinois , as we continue to rally in our efforts to provide the birthing center option for our mothers, I always looked to NYC and Bellvue especially, as a model. So one can only imagine the disappointment with the closing of Birthing Centers in NYC. Please continue to demonstrate that you are a leader and support the rights and needs of women and children; Please reconsider your decision.
Although I currently reside in Chicago, I was a former resident of NYC and employee of NYU Medical Center. As a CNM I always appaulded NYC for having the vision to provide alternative models of care for childbearing women. In Illinois , as we continue to rally in our efforts to provide the birthing center option for our mothers, I always looked to NYC and Bellvue especially, as a model. So one can only imagine the disappointment with the closing of Birthing Centers in NYC. Please continue to demonstrate that you are a leader and support the rights and needs of women and children; Please reconsider your decision.
Reneau Diallo MS APN/CNM
# 1,257:
8:46 pm PST, Dec 17,
Eunide Pierre, Florida
# 1,256:
7:33 pm PST, Dec 17,
Anna Holder, New York
# 1,255:
7:20 pm PST, Dec 17,
Brittany Mostiller, Illinois
I am a low-income single parent and even though I'm in Chicago, this has an impact on me as well as others like. Anything that offers us support simply cannot be taken away from us. We cannot afford to have things like this happen. Truly a sad day....
I am a low-income single parent and even though I'm in Chicago, this has an impact on me as well as others like. Anything that offers us support simply cannot be taken away from us. We cannot afford to have things like this happen. Truly a sad day....
# 1,254:
5:26 pm PST, Dec 17,
Name not displayed, Florida
Having given birth both at a birth center and at home, I can testify to wonderful services that birth centers provide women in the most important moment of their life--bringing a new life into the world. The Birth Center improves the health of both women and the children they bear, providing a safe, encouraging, and healthy way to introduce the next generation into world. Keep the birth center open!
Having given birth both at a birth center and at home, I can testify to wonderful services that birth centers provide women in the most important moment of their life--bringing a new life into the world. The Birth Center improves the health of both women and the children they bear, providing a safe, encouraging, and healthy way to introduce the next generation into world. Keep the birth center open!
# 1,253:
5:18 pm PST, Dec 17,
Michelle Fonte, Florida
# 1,252:
4:14 pm PST, Dec 17,
Claudia Booker, Washington D.C.
It is imperative that women have as many options on how, where and under what conditions they bieth their babies. In additon, women who have public health insurance should have the same birthingg options as women with private insurance. Equal access to quality birth options and maternal and infant health care!
It is imperative that women have as many options on how, where and under what conditions they bieth their babies. In additon, women who have public health insurance should have the same birthingg options as women with private insurance. Equal access to quality birth options and maternal and infant health care!
# 1,251:
2:57 pm PST, Dec 17,
Ayesha Ozturk, New York
For my last pregnancy, when we realized we wouldn't be able to afford a midwife after all, Bellvue was my ONLY other option!!!! I'd like to have this option available for me for my next children. I ended up having my baby earlier and had to deliver in a conventional hospital and even though I was protected by the midwives there, I still have to suffer the stress of nurses laughing at outside my door, yelling "when will she be done already!" and the on-call male doctor consistantly trying to enter the room without my permission, trying to take me away to OR to c-sec me!!! I NEVER EVER want to have to go back to that hospital again. I'm a young mother, I have no health complications, and I want to be able to give birth with only my family and midwives present.
For my last pregnancy, when we realized we wouldn't be able to afford a midwife after all, Bellvue was my ONLY other option!!!! I'd like to have this option available for me for my next children. I ended up having my baby earlier and had to deliver in a conventional hospital and even though I was protected by the midwives there, I still have to suffer the stress of nurses laughing at outside my door, yelling "when will she be done already!" and the on-call male doctor consistantly trying to enter the room without my permission, trying to take me away to OR to c-sec me!!! I NEVER EVER want to have to go back to that hospital again. I'm a young mother, I have no health complications, and I want to be able to give birth with only my family and midwives present.
