I wanted to reach out about an article I read today about the gaps in maternal care here in Western North Carolina [“Support for Mothers: WNC Nonprofits Work to Fill Gaps in Maternal Health Care,” Jan. 28, Xpress]. The article is absolutely spot on with the gaps and need for more OB-GYN care, especially in the more rural areas.
I am the director of Open Arms, a pregnancy center located in Hendersonville. There are several of us located throughout WNC, and we are doing our best to fill in the gap, offering support to women, children and families in our area.
We offer things like limited ultrasounds (up to 14 weeks), pregnancy tests, support and material supplies — prenatal vitamins, maternity and infant clothing, diapers and formula — as well as equipment: car seats, strollers, high chairs, bassinets and many other items. We offer client services from pregnancy until the child is 18 months old…