A New Holistic Reproductive Health Center in the Bronx
A new holistic reproductive health center, Maryam, has opened its doors in the northwest Bronx, providing wellness services to individuals giving birth in a borough with few options for that type of care. The clinic offers a range of services, including gynecological care, prenatal appointments, acupuncture, massage, and lactation support, as well as doulas, midwives, and physicians.
A Turning Point for the Community
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who has made combatting maternal mortality a priority, toured the clinic and expressed her excitement about the new center. "This is definitely a turning point for the community," she said. "We’re ready to start saving lives and taking care of people, and making people feel assured within their birth journey."
Holistic Care
Maryam’s team provides "holistic care that takes care of the whole person," said doula Myla Flores, who co-founded the center with OBGYN physician Carla Williams. The clinic’s approach aims to provide comprehensive care, going beyond traditional reproductive health services to address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of individuals during pregnancy and beyond.
A Birth Center in the Making
Flores and Williams are working towards establishing a birth center in the Bronx, where individuals can give birth under the supervision of a midwife outside of a hospital or their own home. While there are potential locations available, securing funding is a significant challenge. "If we don’t have the millions of dollars it takes to build a ground-up birth center, or renovate a building to become a birth center-specific, then let’s do what we can," Flores said, highlighting the clinic’s decision to prioritize reproductive health services over a birth center.
Baby Steps
Maryam is a welcoming space with three rooms for appointments and a larger main room for group prenatal classes, workshops, and events. The clinic is open Monday through Friday by appointment only and is working towards accepting Medicaid for gynecological services.
The Future of Maternal Care
The opening of Maryam is a significant step towards improving maternal care in the Bronx, which has the city’s highest rate of maternal mortality. As Gibson noted, "At the end of the day, our job is to give birthing individuals and mothers choices." With the momentum building, the future of maternal care in the Bronx looks promising.
FAQs
Q: What services does Maryam offer?
A: Maryam offers a range of services, including gynecological care, prenatal appointments, acupuncture, massage, lactation support, and more.
Q: Is the clinic open to the public?
A: Yes, the clinic is open to the public and is available for appointments Monday through Friday.
Q: What are the clinic’s hours of operation?
A: The clinic is open Monday through Friday by appointment only.
Q: Will the clinic accept Medicaid?
A: The clinic is working towards accepting Medicaid for gynecological services.
