Home / Health / Moms Rally as Hospital Considers Midwife Cut
Moms Rally as Hospital Considers Midwife Cut
4 Feb
Summary
- Rancho Springs Hospital may end its midwife program.
- Community members protested the potential closure on Tuesday.
- This follows other recent maternity ward closures in the region.
Community members gathered on Tuesday to protest a potential change at Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta, where officials are considering ending their 24/7 Certified Nurse-Midwives program. Mothers like Jennifer Downs, who has had two children at the hospital, expressed concern over losing options for childbirth. She highlighted the benefit of having midwife care available within a hospital setting, where immediate medical attention is accessible if complications arise.
Hospital employees indicated that the midwives are contracted through OBHG, and their contract may not be extended past its expiration on March 1. This situation is part of a broader trend in the Inland Empire, with two other maternity wards recently closing: Corona Regional Medical Center and Hemet Global Medical Center. Officials in those cases cited decreased birth numbers and physician shortages.
Doulas also joined the protest, emphasizing that Rancho Springs Hospital's program serves women from underserved communities who may not have an assigned obstetrician-gynecologist. While the hospital has not made an official decision, expectant mothers are advocating to ensure their voices are heard before any changes are finalized.
