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Birth Home, Inc. records, 1977-1995

Overview of the Collection

Cre
Birth Home, Incorporated
Title
Birth Home, Inc. records
Dates
1977-1995 (inclusive)
1982-1986 (bulk)
Quantity
10 linear feet, (21 boxes)
Collection Number
2014-011
Summary
Birth Home, Inc. was the fourth birthing center to open in Oregon. Operating from 1982 to 1986, the non-profit birthing center was staffed by obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, and family practice physicians and provided an alternative to hospital births for low-risk women. These records document the daily and administrative operations of the Birth Home as well as their involvement in the community and published materials collected by the organization.
Repository
Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. MC:LIB
Portland, OR
97239
Telephone: 5034945587
hcaref@ohsu.edu
Access Restrictions

Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of protected health information (PHI) or other confidential information. Please contact Historical Collections & Archives for more details regarding access.

Languages
English
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Content Description

The Birth Home, Inc. Records contain materials documenting the daily and administrative operations of the non-profit birthing center as well as their involvement in the community and published materials collected by the organization regarding topics relevant to birthing centers, healthcare, pregnancy, and childbirth.

This collection has been divided into 6 major series:

Series I: Patient Records (RESTRICTED) (1984-1986)

Contains patient registration, consent and contract forms as well as fees and payment information, insurance records, and patient care records. Also included are thank you letters and family photographs mailed to the Birth Home from former patients.

Series II: Personnel Files (RESTRICTED) (1982-1986)

Contains the personnel files of Birth Home staff, including birth assistants, birth nurses, cerified nurse midwives, and OBGYN physicians. Files include employment applications, interview materials, time sheets, tax documents, professional health benefits material, and professional liability insurance documentation.

Series III: 501(c)(3) Documentation (1982-1986)

Contains official non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation papers and other important documentation related to Birth Home's non-profit status, including articles of incorporation, by-laws, and tax exemption materials.

Series IV: Administrative Records (RESTRICTED) (1980-1986)

Contains assorted office files created and used by Birth Home staff during daily operations of the facility as well as other administrative and financial records. Included within this series are correspondence; meeting minutes of the board of directors, committees, and staff; job descriptions and interview materials; protocols, policies, and procedures; financial records; utility records; supply lists and catalogs; Birth Home educational and fundraising event planning and promotional materials; advertisements and other public relation materials; educational handouts; blank patient care forms; volunteer and student worker programs; professional organization membership materials; Birth Home newsletters, and news clippings about the Birth Home.

Series V: Martha Goetsch Administrative Records (RESTRICTED) (1980-1986)

Contains the records created and/or maintained by founding member Martha Goetsch, M.D., and her involvement as Medical Director and member of the Board of Directors. Goetsch's records are kept separate from the primary Administrative Records series to highlight this distinction. Materials are primarily board member and Birth Home medical staff records, including meeting agendas and minutes as well as by-law drafts and revisions. Also included are records documenting the planning for Birth Home's opening in 1982 as well as their proposal to merge with Good Samaritan Hospital after losing professional liability insurance and the closing of the facility in 1986.

Series VI: Reference Files (1977-1986; 1995)

Contains published materials, including news clippings, magazine and journal articles, newsletters, directories, pamphlets and booklets, handouts, reports, organizational standards, and legislation collected by the Birth Home related to pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, midwifery, breast feeding, birthing centers, medical programs in Oregon, and liability and malpractice insurance.

Series VII: Photographs (RESTRICTED) (circa 1982-1986)

Contains black and white and color photoprints of various sizes and color 35mm slides. The majority of the images were taken at the Birth Home, depicting patient births and Birth Home reunion get-togethers. Many of those featured in the photographs are unidentified; however, some patient names are included with the photographs. Images also feature Birth Home staff, including Martha Goetsch, M.D., Catherine Pelosi, C.N.M., and Vicki Cohen, C.N.M. Also includes 35 mm slides taken of a cesarean section at Forest Grove Hospital, used for a presentation at the Birth Home.

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Historical Note

In September of 1982, the non-profit organization, Birth Home, Inc., located on 2006 SE Ankeny St. in Portland, Oregon, became the fourth birthing center to open its doors in Oregon. The Birth Home was established by a group of certified nurse midwives, family practice physicians, obstetricians, birth nurses, and other childbirth educators seeking to provide an alternative to hospital births for low-risk women. The center maintained a cozy, home-like atmosphere, decorated with houseplants and friendly décor and was equipped with three furnished birthing rooms and all necessary medical equipment and supplies. Women were encouraged to give birth in the position most comfortable for them, offering not only comfy beds but also birthing chairs to support women delivering upright.

An inclusive and welcoming facility, the Birth Home offered their services to GLBT and straight families alike. They also actively encouraged fathers and other family members and friends to participate in the birth process, a significant departure from the solitary birthing experience of earlier years. Additionally, fees were established on a sliding scale, helping to make their facility an affordable one.

Birth Home medical staff was comprised of physicians, certified nurse midwives, and birth nurses assisted by birth assistants and administrative staff. Not all physicians and nurse midwives that assisted in births at the facility were Birth Home personnel. According to a Q&A handout within the Birth Home Records, the facility was the only birthing center in Portland to allow outside physicians and nurse midwives who shared their philosophy and standards to admit patients (Series IV). As a non-profit corporation, a Board of Directors governed the Birth Home, supported by a Board of Consultants. Among Birth Home's administrative staff, founding members Martha Goetsch, M.D., served as Medical Director, overseeing physicians, and Jill Romm, R.N., as Administrator, overseeing daily operations. The Personnel Supervisor oversaw nursing staff.

In addition to birthing services, the Birth Home also hosted educational events for the community on assorted topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, including regular film nights and classes. They also offered post natal support groups as well as resources and referrals to families seeking information on birthing in Portland's hospitals, other women support groups, and available babysitters. Fundraising was an integral component of maintaining operations at the facility, so Birth Home held several community events to raise money. Events included the annual Mother's Day Runaway jog-a-thon and the Father's Day Jazz at Jake's celebration.

At the time, birth centers were still viewed by many as an unsafe option for birthing women, making it difficult for these facilities to maintain professional liability insurance. In 1986, the Birth Home faced losing their coverage. As a means of remaining insured and open, the Birth Home and Good Samaritan Health Services proposed a merger of the two facilities. According to documentation within the records, the merger did not come to fruition due to refusal from Good Samaritan's health insurance company to extend coverage. In fall of 1986, Birth Home officially lost coverage and was forced to cease operations. They closed their doors officially on September 16, 1986, having assisted over 398 families in their four years of operation.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Collection title], Collection Number [####-###], Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives.

Restrictions on Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The records were donated by former Birth Home Medical Director, Martha Goetsch, M.D., and Chairperson, Catherine Pelosi, C.N.M. in 2014.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Crystal Rodgers
2014

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