BELFAST, Maine — Waldo County General Hospital recently announced plans to review its labor and delivery services in the coming weeks because of declining births and staffing shortages.
This consideration comes at a time when Maine is facing a decreasing number of places people planning to have a baby can go, as more and more birthing units in rural areas have closed.
According to a previous report by NEWS CENTER Maine in January, seven birthing units in Maine have closed since 2015, including York Hospital, which closed its birthing center last year.
The Belfast hospital is expecting just 112 births this fiscal year, 19 percent lower than its total in 2019.
This and labor shortages are prompting the redesign of the hospital’s obstetrics program.
Waldo County General Hospital declined an interview.
In a statement, its President Denise Needham said, in part, "We want to be transparent about the challenges we face and the need to be thoughtful about our care model given current trends."
Audrey Jarrett had her son at Waldo County General in 2022. She said she had a great experience at the hospital and hopes to have her next child there.
“I do think it would be devastating for the community if the hospital were to take away those services,” Jarrett said.
Belfast Mayor Eric Sanders said the hospital is essential to the community.
Sanders said he can only image the urgency an expectant mother would have if it were to close.
“Knowing that they now have to go one or two hours to have a baby versus down the street to the hospital that has provided exquisite care for generations of families,” he said.
City Councilor Neal Harkness was not shocked by the redesign announcement. He said he has already seen the hospital cut back some of its services in recent years.
“This is not an isolated thing, this is a systematic, step by step, stripping down, corporate stripping away of services in Waldo County,” Harkness said.
Since 2015, seven birthing units across Maine have closed. With these closures, largely in rural areas, some are turning to alternative ways to deliver their children.
“There’s been an influx,” midwife Madrona Wienges said.
Wienges is a midwife in Midcoast Maine. She said there has been a surge in families considering home births in Maine.
“We are equipped to serve people in very rural areas,” Wienges said.
But proximity to hospitals like Waldo County General is ideal for Wienges, in case a birth turns high-risk.
“Seeing these rural areas turn into maternal health deserts is concerning for all of us involved,” she said.
Waldo County General Hospital has not stated when the review of its birthing services will be complete, or exactly what that review will entail.