Birth Center Opens
By: Heidi York
Updated: August 24, 2009
State laws make using a midwife hard to do in Louisiana. In fact, many families cross the state line to find an alternative to the hospital. A brand new birth center just opened in Marshall, Texas, giving moms-to-be a new choice in childbirth.
"I think if a woman wants to be in charge of her labor and avoid pain medication, and if she wants to avoid intervention, then she needs to have that choice,” said Charlotte Russell, a Certified Professional Midwife and owner of Eden Way Birth Center.
Until recently women in northwest Louisiana didn't have many options. If they wanted to have a baby with the assistance of a midwife they had to travel all they way to Tyler. Russell, who lives in Shreveport, wanted women to have another option closer to home. She opened Eden Way Birth Center in Marshall, where she offers natural birthing in a home-like environment.
"We encourage mom to squat in the middle of the room if she needs too; we don't need her to be in bed. We do have a birthing ball,” explained Russell.
Water birth is also an option. Eden Way has birthing tubs in each of its two birthing suites.
"She can use the tub for labor, or birthing if she wants to have a water birth," added Jennifer Courtney, Russell’s assistant who is training to become a midwife.
Texas law requires a birthing center to be within a twenty minute drive to a hospital. Eden Way has a hospital right across the street.
“It's very close to a hospital which reassures a lot of parents. If something does go wrong, we're a hop, skip, and a jump from a hospital that has maternity care," said Russell.
Eden Way is designed to make patients feel like family. In edition to birthing, the center offers all pre-natal and post-natal care.
“From the time the baby is born and we put it on her chest, the baby never leaves her side," added Courtney.
To learn more about Eden Way you can view their website at www.edenwaybirth.com
"I think if a woman wants to be in charge of her labor and avoid pain medication, and if she wants to avoid intervention, then she needs to have that choice,” said Charlotte Russell, a Certified Professional Midwife and owner of Eden Way Birth Center.
Until recently women in northwest Louisiana didn't have many options. If they wanted to have a baby with the assistance of a midwife they had to travel all they way to Tyler. Russell, who lives in Shreveport, wanted women to have another option closer to home. She opened Eden Way Birth Center in Marshall, where she offers natural birthing in a home-like environment.
"We encourage mom to squat in the middle of the room if she needs too; we don't need her to be in bed. We do have a birthing ball,” explained Russell.
Water birth is also an option. Eden Way has birthing tubs in each of its two birthing suites.
"She can use the tub for labor, or birthing if she wants to have a water birth," added Jennifer Courtney, Russell’s assistant who is training to become a midwife.
Texas law requires a birthing center to be within a twenty minute drive to a hospital. Eden Way has a hospital right across the street.
“It's very close to a hospital which reassures a lot of parents. If something does go wrong, we're a hop, skip, and a jump from a hospital that has maternity care," said Russell.
Eden Way is designed to make patients feel like family. In edition to birthing, the center offers all pre-natal and post-natal care.
“From the time the baby is born and we put it on her chest, the baby never leaves her side," added Courtney.
To learn more about Eden Way you can view their website at www.edenwaybirth.com
