Midwives contract not renewed

TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) - Union Hospital is not renewing their contract with midwifery services.

This decision has a lot of mothers who use midwives through the birthing process upset. A group of women who use the midwives services said they feel that women have a right to access options of medical care and many women actively choose the Midwifery Model of Care.

They said by Union Hospital not renewing the contract is it taking away this health care choice for families in the Wabash Valley.
"The whole model of care from a midwife is totally different than that of an OB or resident and a lot of people actively choose the midwife because they want this," Supportive of midwife care Devon Kinne said.

Union hospital released the following statement:

“We, too, are disappointed to not be able to extend contracts for our midwives. Current economic conditions have caused us to look hard at how we can continue to provide this service. Our mission and first priority is to continue to provide prenatal care and delivery for low income women in our community. Realigning the maternal health services with our physician residents allows us to maintain that service for the poor in our community. We hope that the midwives will be able to find other independent or employment arrangements and that local demand will support them. They will continue to have privileges at Union Hospital.”

Click here to learn more about the midwife requests.