Podcast: Emerald Waters Birth Center
Interview with Eileen Stewart by Newell Nussbaumer Buffalo Rising
- September 13, 2007
Buffalorising.mp3 (4.2MB)
I still remember the first time that I heard the word ‘midwifery’.
I thought that someone had pronounced the word wrong. I also remember
thinking that I was not exactly sure what a midwife was. It was
Trudy Stern (tru-teas!) who first told me about the subject. And
it was Eileen Stewart (photo) who was one of the first to open a
midwifery service in a commercial setting. Her business, Life Cycles
Center, was located at the corner of Elmwood and Allen… a
location that was operational for eight years. During those years
Eileen assisted 300 families in home-births.
Now
Eileen is getting ready to a launch an enormous undertaking in which
she and a number of supporters will attempt to raise $1,000,000
to build a freestanding ‘Birth Center’ in the city.
Her goal is to open a facility called Emerald Waters Birth Center
(let’s see if any of any Buffalo buffs out there know what
the Emerald Waters reference is to). The concept is a relatively
new one that would be modeled after some of the most progressive
birth centers in the world. The center would also be a clinical
site for students looking to enter the world of midwifery. “Home
birth is not for everyone,” Eileen told me. “But everyone
should have the ability access a midwife. I have come to know so
many families before the actual birth. A midwife continues a relationship
with a family long after the child is born… I get invited
to some of the birthday parties of the children that I helped to
deliver. Our center will offer cooking classes to the whole family
in preparation of what it will be like when the expected child enters
their life. The entire family should stay healthy… even the
other children in the family must learn to adjust. We make sure
that the family is nurtured and loved and respected from the initial
meeting on."
Be sure to listen to the attached podcast for further information
on the future of Emerald Waters Birth Center. Eileen’s hopes
are to have a functioning facility in 2008. The Bold Red Tent event
will take place this Saturday, with storytelling, painting, sculpting,
dance and movement, and dramatization. “Come express your
birth story", and raise awareness and money ($15 suggested
donation) for Emerald Waters Birth Center. Gallery 164 (164 Allen)
September 15th from 1-4pm. “Women of all ages and breastfeeding
children are welcome”.
Now
Eileen is getting ready to a launch an enormous undertaking in which
she and a number of supporters will attempt to raise $1,000,000
to build a freestanding ‘Birth Center’ in the city.
Her goal is to open a facility called Emerald Waters Birth Center
(let’s see if any of any Buffalo buffs out there know what
the Emerald Waters reference is to). The concept is a relatively
new one that would be modeled after some of the most progressive
birth centers in the world. The center would also be a clinical
site for students looking to enter the world of midwifery. “Home
birth is not for everyone,” Eileen told me. “But everyone
should have the ability access a midwife. I have come to know so
many families before the actual birth. A midwife continues a relationship
with a family long after the child is born… I get invited
to some of the birthday parties of the children that I helped to
deliver. Our center will offer cooking classes to the whole family
in preparation of what it will be like when the expected child enters
their life. The entire family should stay healthy… even the
other children in the family must learn to adjust. We make sure
that the family is nurtured and loved and respected from the initial
meeting on."
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