The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Staff Photo by Leigh Prom:
Carl and Summer Swanson visit the New Life Birth Center during its open house with Levi, the first baby born at the center on May 22. Levi’s big sister is Abigail. |
Friday, July 6, 2012
By LEIGH PROM - Staff Writer
New Life Birth Center in Rocky Mount recently hosted an open house to introduce the community to its services.
The center opened in January on South Main Street to provide a place for pregnant women to deliver their babies in Franklin County since Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital no longer offers this service, said Karen Winstead, president of the center.
Winstead is a registered nurse (RN) with a master's degree and a certified nurse mid-wife.
The center provides a homelike atmosphere for healthy women before, during and after normal pregnancy, labor and birth, according to the center's website.
Winstead delivered Levi Swanson, the center's first baby on May 22. He weighed 10 pounds and two ounces.
Carl Swanson, Levi's father, said his family's experience with the center "was really great."
"I really liked the birth center. Karen's a great mid-wife, so, dads, don't worry," he added.
"She (Winstead) let's you do what feels right," added Summer Swanson, Levi's mother.
In addition to delivering at the birth center, women can see the mid-wife before, during and after their pregnancy, Winstead said. The center also offers pregnancy testing and counseling, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, and routine women's health exams, such as pap smears or tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
The New Life Birth Center is non-profit and accepts most insurance plans, as well as Medicaid, Winstead said. A sliding scale is used for those without insurance, based on ability to pay.
The center is open by appointment. Free orientation sessions include a tour, informational videos, explanations about midwifery and costs, and time for general questions.
As part of the open house celebration, a handmade quilt by Velma Meador is being raffled off to benefit the center. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 540-798-4064 or visit www.newlifebirthcenter.net. |
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