SOUNDING OFF: Hospital made birthing special

While all my friends were having babies at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and bragging of their new Women’s Pavilion, all I dreamed of was the comfortable, homey and safe environment of South Coast Medical Center. I had an amazing and beautiful birth there Aug. 29, 2006.

I can honestly say my birth experience at SCMC was perfect. There is nothing I would have changed. I felt so privileged to have been privy to this small, intimate and somewhat undiscovered gem.

For these reasons, it saddens my heart that SCMC is closing its maternity ward. SCMC is the only hospital in Orange County that allows mothers to feel safe, welcome and nurtured when choosing a drug-free, natural childbirth attended by midwives and doulas. With this birthing option gone, I fear the landscape of natural child birthing will never be the same here.

Have all options been explored to save this department? Fundraisers? Advertising? Most people I know have never heard of this hospital — can’t we push for public awareness before the doors are forever closed? With all the wealth surrounding this community, it seems as though resources could potentially be available.

I am due to give birth in December, and I feel desperate, sad and sick inside that I won’t have the opportunity to duplicate the magical and precious birth I previously had at SCMC. This city should be so honored to have SCMC call it home. Where is your pride in ownership? Isn’t offering a full-service hospital important to the reputation of the hospital? Isn’t there something that can be done to save this special department?

Please reconsider closing the maternity ward. It will devastate so many mothers who put their heart into a small and intimate birth experience rather than the large, impersonal and cold experience offered by all other O.C. hospitals.

Tanya Hauer lives in Trabuco Canyon.