https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/10/01/smc-other-hospitals-help-deliver-babies-after-lewis-county-maternity-ward-closes/What they don’t tell you, is that the maternity ward has three beds! Total for this tiny hospital is 25 beds. The average distance from Lewis County to Watertown is 50 miles. About 45 minutes in good weather. Come winter, it’s anyone’s guess. When I lived in Lewis County, Watertown was 56 miles away, an hour in good weather, but two hours or more in white out or black ice conditions.
Utica averages 75 miles, an hour and a half in good weather. In winter, several roads are likely to be impassible in white out conditions.
Not changed is the nearest critical care, nicu, in Syracuse. This would be mainly planned (induced) high risk births. Generally, if a woman is in this category, she’d sign in a day ahead of time. There is guest lodging available for her husband or other people. Distance is about 100 miles.
My best guess is that the Amish, Mennonites, and Baptists who make up the greater portion of those refusing to aid and abet abortion, will open an unofficial birthing center on a donation basis, and there will be an increase in home births with a midwife or doula.