Western Wisconsin Health (WW Health) is excited to announce that there was a record number of births during the month of May at the Birth Center.

June 1, 2017, marked a milestone for the Birth Center, with 23 babies being born in May. Since the new Birth Center at WW Health opened in July 2016, we have had increasingly high numbers of new babies born. We expect to reach over 200 in 2017. With the growing number of births, WW Health will be developing plans for an expansion in the future. There are also many exciting changes currently happening in the Birth Center.

The Childbirth and Parenting Preparation classes offered by the Birth Center have recently been restructured. The new curriculum for this class is inspired by Plumtree Baby and is designed to help pregnant women and their partners prepare for an amazing and positive birth experience. We give them the knowledge to understand the rhythm and stages of labor, the body’s natural hormones, and how to avoid the fear-tension-pain cycle. Participants are also able to gain practical tools for comfort and positions in labor, and discover options regarding medications and birth plans for all types of births. Birth partners learn helpful ways to support while enhancing the shared experience. Participants finish prepared for the basics of newborn care and an easier postpartum transition. This interactive class also includes a tour of the beautiful, peaceful Birth Center at WW Health. An optional Breastfeeding Class has also been added to the series and can be taken with the other sessions for a discount, or alone.

WW Health is pleased to announce that Dr. Steven Verbeek, an OB-GYN Physician, has joined Dr. Dennis Hartung, Dr. Russell Roloff, and Linda Lindquist on the women’s health care team. Dr. Verbeek began seeing patients on May 28, 2017.

Dr. Steven Verbeek attended medical school in Minnesota, both in Duluth and Minneapolis. He completed his OB-GYN residency at Providence Hospital and Medical Center in Southfield, Michigan. Dr. Verbeek takes a special interest in minimally-invasive surgery, treatment of urinary leakage, and correction of pelvic support problems, in addition to normal gynecologic concerns such as the menopausal transition. Dr. Verbeek enjoys using a team approach to pregnancy care, including coming alongside midwives, as needed. Calm deliveries are his ultimate goal. “It is deeply satisfying for me to be a part of such an important time in a family’s life– the growth and birth of their child,” said Dr. Verbeek. “I appreciate the trust placed in me by my patients as we work together toward optimal health throughout their lives.”

Kerry Dixon, a Certified Nurse Midwife, will also be joining the women’s health team. She will begin seeing patients in July 2017.

Kerry Dixon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. She then completed her Associate Degree in Nursing from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. She went on to receive her Masters of Science in Nursing as a Certified Nurse Midwife from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky. Kerry Dixon takes a special interest in women’s health, family planning, prenatal, delivery and postpartum care, with a family-centered care philosophy. Kerry Dixon has worked as a childbirth educator, doula, maternal-child home health nurse and midwife in settings such as homebirth, birth centers and hospitals. As a mentor and clinical preceptor, she has volunteered and worked alongside student nurses and midwives in 5 different countries. A global view of maternity care and women’s health has shown Kerry why it is so important to utilize scientific evidence as a foundation of practice. “It’s been so rewarding to be a part of making positive change,” said Kerry. “I am excited to join with the Western Wisconsin Health staff and community and be a partner in their patient-first, family-centered philosophy.”

To learn more about the Birth Center at Western Wisconsin Health, visit our website at wwhealth.org.