I am writing to express to you my concerns about the impending closure of the St. Luke's NICU. My daughter, Mica, was born at St. Lukes last December. Her birth was attended by a Homestyle midwife. The birth was wonderful and without complication, but when she was born Mica had excessive fluid in her lungs and needed to be under an oxygen hood for 24 hrs, and on IV antibiotics for another 24 hrs. Although we live across town, we chose St. Lukes because of Homestyle Midwifery. We have private insurance and wanted a midwife group that could support me in my decision to try to deliver without pain medication. After interviewing other midwife groups around the city, Homestyle was the only one that was truely equipped to help me. Closing the NICU at St. Lukes, and the ensuing fallout to the birth practicioners that use the hospital, would be a tremendous loss to the birthing community of this city.

Thank you for considering my concerns,
Sarah Reed