KINGSTON – Midwives and their supporters
came out Tuesday to the Children’s Medical Group in Kingston, for
a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of Capital Region Midwifery’s
new Hudson Valley office. They were joined by officials of the Ulster
County executive’s office and county health department.
Unlike traditional midwives, practitioners at Capital Region Midwifery
have hospital privileges and accept most insurance plans. They provide
care throughout the reproductive cycle, offering natural child births
with minimal intervention.
Midwives stay with the expectant mother throughout labor, during birth,
and also postpartum. “We don’t just show up at the last minute
and catch your baby,” explained Liz Pickett, one of the leaders
of the new Kingston office.
Officials cut the ribbon at the new center
Pickett noted that Health Alliance hospitals in town currently have a
low rate of deliveries, around 320 babies per year, due to limited local
obstetrician choices.
County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith called the move a tremendous
valuable resource for women in the community. “We’re very
excited to have you join us as a partner, in achieving wonderful health
outcomes for the women and newborns of Ulster County,” she said.
“I had the most wonderful, nurturing experience with my wife during
birth, and it was all because of this wonderful midwife who joined us
in the delivery,” agreed Deputy County Executive Kenneth Crannell.
