Mad River Hospital to suspend labor and delivery services

The Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata is suspending their labor and delivery services. We spoke with an expecting mom to see how these changes might influence her delivery process. 

Suzanna Church is six months pregnant with her second child, who’s due in early December.

“Not that I’m planning on giving birth at Mad River, but the influx of customers that Saint Joe’s Birthing Center is going to see is going to put a damper on the health care that we are provided, because it’s just going to be too many people, too many people giving birth and at the same time,” she says. 

In a News release, Mad River Community Hospital said they were suspending labor and delivery services due to declining birth rates and financial losses. 

“From what I understand, a lot of moms are disappointed because it’s not part of their birthing plan. you know, a lot of moms love mad River. A lot of moms love Saint Joe’s. But, to feel like we’re all being consolidated and have to choose this one hospital, it feels like our options are being taken away from us,” she said. 

Since Fortuna Redwood Memorial Hospital closed their birthing center in 2021, there have only been two hospitals in Humboldt county with birthing centers. Soon, there will be only one, and Church worries it’ll be too crowded. 

“There’s already been patients who have given birth at Saint Joe’s since Fortuna shut down their maternity ward. And they’ve stated things like, we’ve had to give birth in the emergency department or in the lobby or shared rooms with other moms,” she said. 

As far as Church’s plans for December, she is planning on looking out of state.  

“We’re going to be going to another city or another town, specifically Oregon. My sister lives up there to give birth around the time of my due date. But what happens if I go into labor on the way up there? Alternatively, I’ve heard a lot of women say, well, we’re just going to give birth at home. But without the right level of care, that’s incredibly dangerous,” Church says.

Story by Tucker Caraway