New Birthing Center Opens in Missoula as Maternity Services Shift from St. Patrick’s Hospital
New Birthing Center Opens in Missoula, Filling Gap Left by Hospital’s Maternity Closure
MISSOULA, Mont. – In a significant development for the region’s healthcare services, Origin Health has officially opened a new birthing center, coinciding with the impending closure of the maternity unit at St. Patrick’s Hospital next month. The opening was celebrated with a ceremonial “cord-cutting,” marking a promising new chapter for expecting families in Western Montana.
This newly established birthing center presents an alternative for families seeking personalized care to accommodate their unique birthing preferences. With a focus on comfort and safety, the facility is designed to cater to low-risk pregnancies while promoting a natural birthing experience. Erin Pence, a nurse midwife at Origin Health, emphasized the importance of providing families with more options. “We aim to deliver high-quality care while offering flexibility in delivery methods and environments. It’s essential that women have access to great safety systems alongside their birthing choices,” she noted.
The center features three well-appointed birthing suites, each equipped with amenities such as spacious queen-sized beds and large tubs designed for water births. Additionally, the facility includes two postpartum and neonatal care rooms, lactation support rooms, and a family-friendly lounge area. This emphasis on comfort reflects a growing trend among expectant parents who seek a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere for childbirth as opposed to traditional hospital settings.
Dr. Fausett, the medical director and owner of Origin Health, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “The excitement from the community has been palpable. We’ve seen families eagerly anticipating the opening, and while construction has taken longer than expected, the rewards of this facility are evident in the enthusiasm surrounding its launch.”
Located in Building Two on the Community Medical Center campus, the new birthing center aims to fill a void left by St. Patrick’s Hospital’s closure, which has generated concerns regarding access to maternity services in the area. By providing an alternative that prioritizes a home-like environment, the birthing center stands out as a promising option for families looking for a safe, supportive, and personalized birth experience.
As Origin Health integrates this new facility into Missoula’s healthcare landscape, it is poised to become a vital resource for expectant families across the region. In doing so, it not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also reflects a broader shift towards more individualized maternal care in the United States.
