Prenatal, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum,
and Women's Health Care
Centered Around You
Transforming maternity care into an intimate and deeply personal experience.
Photo taken May 2012 at the Grand Opening of the original Family Birth and Wellness location on Brentwood Boulevard. L-R: April Loehr, Mary (Ueland at the time) Walsh with baby Shae, Dr Steven Loehr. The rocking chair was a gift to the new birth center from the Loehrs since Mary had been their midwife!
PC: Rebecca Block, Pure Captures Photography
Loehr Health has acquired Family Birth and Wellness!
I first opened the doors of Family Birth and Wellness in early 2012 in a small, humble, two bedroom, two bathroom house on Brentwood Boulevard. It was remodeled into an office, waiting room, and birth rooms. At the time, I didn’t have big visions for the future, only a desire to fulfill a need. There was no birth center in Southwest Missouri and there were two options for birthing mothers: go to the hospital or have your baby at home. This didn’t work for everyone and I wanted every mother to have an option that worked well for her.
Our small birth center was soon too busy, too full, and we had to move. With the inspiration and hard work of my husband, Ben, the current Family Birth and Wellness center was designed and built. We started catching babies there in the summer of 2015 and it has grown ever since. Through these years I have been having my own babies and now have four darling boys (7, 5, 3, and 6 months) who keep me from ever being bored or lazy! I love being a midwife. I love the birth center and the amazing women who work there. I love helping people get good care and happy birth experiences. Some of our clients have become my very dear friends. But I love my children even more. I have felt so torn over the years with a business that requires so much of me – always being available, working
more than I wish to as a mother, and being sleep deprived as a midwife on top of being sleep deprived as a mom of littles. I began thinking about ways to be freer to be a mother first and a midwife and business manager second.
One night my husband and I were lying awake discussing this dilemma again and we both had the same thought: Ask Dr. Steven Loehr, owner of Loehr Health in Springfield, if he’d like to buy the birth center! It seemed a little crazy to just ask him if he wanted to take over, but I knew he would be perfect, if he was up for the job. I had been his wife April’s midwife multiple times and he and I had spent lots of time over the years discussing midwifery care, mutual patients’ issues and how to help, and
our vision for medical care in general. Of all the people I could think of, he thought more like I did than about anyone else I knew when it came to his vision for health and wellness. I knew that natural birth was a huge passion of his – he had attended some labors alongside me, trying to help babies position better, or to give the laboring mothers relief with a chiropractic adjustment in labor. I HAD to ask if he would take over Family Birth and Wellness. I felt confident my precious “baby” that I had poured so much blood, sweat and tears into would be in good hands if he had it. To my great excitement he said, “YES! I’d LOVE to have the birth center!”
We’ve been discussing how to make this work well for a long time and the day has finally come that Dr. Loehr has officially purchased Family Birth and Wellness as of September 2021. I’m so excited to support him as the new owner!
I do love this place, and I’ve definitely cried some tears to let it (you) go to anyone else, no matter how much I believe his heart to give you the same care I’ve always tried to. But I’m thrilled to get to go home to my babies more often. But don’t worry...I don't plan to disappear. I love you all and this place too much! Currently I'm in the office Tuesdays and Fridays and on call Wednesday nights, but we're still figuring out my role for long-term. I (and Dr Loehr!) would love to hear any of your thoughts and feedback as we go through this transition. We want Family Birth and Wellness to be everything it ever was, and better because of this change! You can email me any time at Mary {at} familybirth {dot} com.
Sincerely,
Mary Walsh
U.S. women are more likely to die during childbirth than women in any other developed country
The U.S. is ranked 33rd among 179 countries on the health and well-being of women and children according to the 16th Annual State of the World's Mothers Report.
The data is consistent with the numbers in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's pregnancy mortality surveillance system. Pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled from 1987 to 2011, according to the CDC.
More than a third of births in the U.S. are Cesarean sections. Studies show a correlation between unnecessary medical intervention and negative outcomes. We're leading the effort to improve maternity care in our community.
Reshaping Women's Health Care in Springfield
We empower women with the care and resources to not just survive childbirth but feel confident, prepared, and supported through the entire process — from preconception through labor and delivery, to postpartum, breastfeeding, newborn care, and beyond.
We've restructured the typical patient experience from the ground up. Instead of the rushed, impersonal, or rigid feel typically associated with healthcare, the atmosphere and service you'll receive at Family Birth and Wellness is friendly, caring, warm, and professional. We provide the resources and personalized care to promote the health and wellness of mothers during pregnancy and to empower you to make informed decisions.
Birth is a natural process that sometimes requires medical intervention, but interfering in the natural process with unncessary intervention actually creates more stress and discomfort for mothers and babies and increases the risk of negative outcomes. At Family Birth and Wellness you're far less likely to have a cesarean, we don't perform routine episiotomies, don't require women to labor in unnatural positions, and accommodate mothers with a wealth of resources to assist the natural labor and birth process.
We believe birth is not just a medical event, but one of the most exciting and challenging life experiences women and families will ever face. We encourage and motivate you through that long process with education, 24/7 availability to answer your questions and concerns, and the care of experienced medical providers who are passionate about seeing you healthy and successful.
What We Do
We provide a full range of maternity and women's health care services, including prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. We maximize quality interaction with you and focus on creating a premium experience from start to finish.
Our Services
Our Team
We have an experienced obstetrical team consisting of licensed nurse midwives, a collaborative physician, nurses, and support staff who are passionate about providing an exceptional experience. It's about more than just healthcare, but building long-lasting relationships and trust.
Our Medical Team
Accomplished Providers
With tens of thousands of hours of experience, training, and an impeccable safety record.
Caring and Compassionate
We love when we're able to connect with you and give the feeling you're part of our family.
First-rate Care
We're focused on providing an exceptional experience, while making sure you and your baby's safety is the top priority.
Expert Listeners
Listening and understanding the unique challenges and questions each woman is facing is the basis for great care.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
Leo Buscaglia
Author and motivational speaker
Professionalism, Connection, Compassion
Prenatal, Birth, and Postpartum Care
Prenatal, postpartum, and labor and delivery in our luxurious birth suites. Plush amenities, and warm and personal care.
Newborn Care and Breastfeeding Support
Certified lactation experts on staff and thorough and loving newborn care.
Gynecology and Women's Health
Annual exams, well-woman care, hormone testing and treatment, fertility care, and much more.
Education and Support
Childbirth education, healthy living and wellness classes, help through postpartum depression, and more.
Our Philosophy of Care
Centered Around You
We believe in providing you a personalized health care experience that takes into account your unique medical history and preferences.
We Listen
We take the time to get to know you and your body. We listen to your concerns, questions, feedback, and desires. Every woman is unique and special — we want to get to know you and make sure your desires and needs are respected.
Evidence-based
We strive to use the best available research and use our extensive clinical expertise to drive decision making. This results in presenting our patients with the data to make informed decisions based on sound evidence.
Proactive and Preventative
We focus on proactively diagnosing and resolving potential health problems instead of only treating symptoms. We belive in holistic care where overall health and wellness are critical to avoiding illness.
Informed Choice
We provide you with the information you need to make informed health care choices, not just informed consent.
Minimal Intervention
Intervention is sometimes medically necessary, but unnecessary intervention often leads to increased risk. We believe in minimizing unnecessarily invasive procedures while being vigilant of the health and safety of mothers and babies.
How Can We Serve You?
Contact Us
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