Martha Cook |
By Pat Lawrence
As a midwife, Martha Cook knows quite a lot about giving birth. She
knows even more about growing. When she came to the WomenCare birthing
center in 1986, it was a physician owned practice with five other
employees.
By 1989, she and another midwife turned it into a non-profit health
care center. Now it has evolved into FamilyCare, a community health
center with over fifty employees that provides a wide range of health
care services.
Martha says “We still have a special focus on women’s
health, but we also offer care for their families.” She has
been the center’s director for over ten years and only quit
practicing as a midwife three years ago. “Our personalized approach
to women’s health care developed from our experience at the
birthing center. We gradually expanded our services to include care
for women who were not pregnant, and their families. Women are often
the health care decision makers for the family. When we help women
take care of their families, we are helping women themselves. Now,
we take care of just about anybody for just about anything, including
dental care. We take appointments and walk ins. We offer services
from a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and
health educators.”
A federally qualified health center, FamilyCare is not a free clinic.
They charge on a scale based on ability to pay. They still perform
a host of gynecologic services from pap smears to hysterectomies.
FamilyCare offers health education on subjects including osteoporosis
and nutrition as well as childbirth classes and mothers support group.
Martha remains committed to the positive birth experiences that welcome
women at the birthing center, a comfortable, ranch style house with
living room and kitchen.. “We consider that birth is essentially
normal. We need to be watchful but we should let the baby do what
it needs to do. Our midwives stay with the woman throughout labor.
Women are not shaved and routine episiotomies are not done. We use
alternative forms of pain control, like hydrotherapy -relaxing in
the tub.” The center’s four midwives are credentialed
and have hospital privileges if needed and there are physicians who
consult and collaborate with the births.
The mother of three children, Martha had her first baby at home with
a midwife. Her second was delivered with the help of a midwife and
a doctor. She delivered her third child at the hospital under a midwife’s
care. She encourages pregnant women to utilize the services of a doula
at delivery to provide physical comfort and emotional and emotional
support during and after labor.
With over 25,000 visits this year, FamilyCare is seeing from 6000-7000
patients in their two locations in addition to birthing center clients.
Martha Cook may no longer deliver babies, but she is delivering quality
care to a lot of women and their families in a personal, affordable
way appreciated by women in any situation.
Visit or call FamilyCare for more information: 301-6 Great Teays
Boulevard, Scott Depot (304- 757-6999) or 1701 Fifth Avenue, Box 5,
Charleston (304- 414-4499) or email:info@familycarewv.org
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