By Kathleen Leese

For Miami Valley Today

SIDNEY — With the closing of Troy’s Upper Valley Medical Center’s labor and delivery unit in January 2024, Wilson Health in Sidney has helped to fill the void for expectant parents who want to deliver their babies close to home in Miami County through the Copeland — Emerson Family Birth Center, opposed to going to Dayton.

This year, the birth center is on track to help deliver 800 babies to new moms and dads from across the region. The birth center has seen an increase in patients since the closing of the Troy unit and wants to make the public aware of what they have to offer so that women have a local choice.

The birth center, located at 915 W. Michigan St. in Sidney, offers large birthing suites with lots of natural light, a snack area and halls decorated with Winnie-the Pooh and photos of newborns on the walls. There are a total of 10 birthing suites, four recovery/post-partum rooms for cesarean section deliveries and three observation rooms. There is also an operating room in the birthing center for cesarean deliveries.

Margo O’Leary, director of marketing for Wilson Health, said, “Our birthing suites are very big and open and spacious. It doesn’t feel like a hospital room.”

O’Leary said the size of the rooms allows for families to be present for the birth, and added that moms-to-be “labor in the suite, deliver in the suite, stay in the suite. (It) separates us from other hospitals.”

Jenny Dietz, R.N., director of women’s services, said the fact that the birth center has 11 providers available for women “was a draw for me.” The number of female physicians “is a plus” for many women, although she said their one male doctor is excellent. Anesthesia services are available 24/7 at the birth center as well.

Currently, Wilson Health makes it possible for women to receive obstetrics and gynecological (OB/GYN) care at locations in Sidney at the Wilson Health main campus, in Troy at Miami County ObGyn located at 1930 Prime Court, and at Wilson Health ObGyn in Piqua at 1255 E. Ash St., making it possible for women to be seen in the most convenient location for them. The 11 providers deliver babies exclusively at the Copeland – Emerson Family Birth Center.

The physicians, certified nurse practitioners (CNP) and certified nurse midwives (CNM) with Sidney offices include Katherine Bachman, M.D., Joy Hart, M.D., Rosemary McCarthy, D.O., and Kristi Pedler, M.D., along with Lori Brown and Lisa Pleiman, CNPs, and Maria Bowden, Alissa Horton and Raychel Miramontes, all CNMs.

The Troy office is staffed by Daniel Dilworth, M.D., Raychel Miramontes, CNM and Shelley Maier, Physician Assistant Certified (PA-C) and the Piqua location includes Katherine Bachman, M.D., and Kristi Pedler, M.D.

Dietz said education is key for parents-to-be, “The education prior to birth (is) not just for Moms, but the Dads,” adding dads are “very much included in pre-birth classes … and things you can do to support mom.”

Dietz also encourages couples to take a tour of the birth center. And sometimes women want to have a “more natural” birthing experience, which the birth center is able to provide. Among the options is hydrotherapy during labor, “using water as a means to get through the labor process.” There is also a birthing tub available.

“I really want people to see they can have the birth experience they want to have. I encourage women to ask all they want about their labor,” Dietz said, noting there are no silly questions when it comes to preparing for the birth of one’s child.

Dietz said labor and delivery can be scary for a woman and added their “staff does training on compassionate care.”

The birth center offers other assistance to moms-to-be, including massage therapy during labor and the post-natal period and for the newborn. The center also offers a certified lactation expert to help new mothers learn how to properly breastfeed their new baby. Another feature of the birth center experience is educating parents about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

“Infant mortality is real,” O’Leary said.

As a result, the birth center has created the “Safe Sleep” program. As part of that program, the birth center provides sleep sacks for all of the babies born there. The sleep sacks are provided through the Wilson Foundation and funds from United Way programs such as POWER.

Occasionally, despite the best efforts of parents and birth center providers and staff, babies do not survive and parents find themselves grieving.

“Bereavement is a focus as well,” Dietz said.

She noted they have specially trained individuals who Deitz said, “feel it is a calling” to be there for parents suffering loss. Dietz said they will see parents who lost a child “come back and have a baby” later and they are able to celebrate that new life as well as honor the life that passed.

O’Leary said last year the birth center entered a new partnership with Dayton Children’s and there is a pediatrician from Dayton Children’s that practices at Wilson Health and visits newborns as well as nurse practitioners. O’Leary said it adds an “extra level of care” for newborns. The pediatric practice is located in the Wilson Professional Building.

Dietz said the birth center offers observation rooms for women uncertain if their labor has started.

Wilson Health and the Ohio Department of Health are sponsoring a Mother’s Gathering on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sidney – Amos Library, 230 E. North St.. The event will include a speaker from Versailles Massage, Car Seat with Shannon (Sidney-Shelby County Department of Health), Photos by Whitney – Aperture Adventures, Cribs for Kids, Help Me Grow, Women’s Centers of Ohio, Imagination Library and OhioHealth Mother’s Milk. There will be giveaways and prizes, light refreshments and more. The event is being held in recognition of Breastfeeding Awareness Month and is free and open to the public.

Dietz said it is special for birth center staff when families return later for a visit with staff.

“It’s wonderful. It’s why we do what we do. It’s rewarding, heartwarming,” she said.

O’Leary said, “I want people to know they don’t have to go to Dayton or Lima. We are here. We listen to the community and what they want. We want to be part of that birthing experience.”

For more information on childbirth preparation classes, breastfeeding success classes or newborn care classes, please call 937-498-5391. For more information on massage therapy for during labor and delivery or for baby, call 937-564-7424.

The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.