The Family Birthing Center of St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart recently underwent a renovation of its 10-bed unit. Already a Level II Nursery, staffed and equipped to care for high-risk and premature births and the special needs of mother and baby, the recent update to the unit provides an additional level of comfort for new mothers and their families.
“Our focus is on providing the best birthing experience, catering to the unique needs of each delivery,” says Alicia Hart, RNC, BSN, manager of the Family Birthing Center. “With the renovation, the unit inspires a calming environment for families as they adjust to a major life change. Our patients feel more at home here as they bond with their newborn.”
New features of the unit include:
State-of-the-art Giraffe* OmniBed systems – full-featured incubators and radiant warmers
Expanded nursery and nurses station
Updated family lounge for increased comfort for those waiting on the baby’s arrival
Additional soothing, updated décor
“The addition of the OmniBed systems enables us to more closely monitor the status of our newborns and gives us better access to position the infant for all types of procedures,” says Hart, sharing that the beds also reduce stress for higher-risk babies, aiding them in the healing process.
The renovations enhance the modern, private suites, each with its own state-of-the-art birthing bed with memory foam mattress and private bathroom with shower. The unit is also equipped to handle progressive delivery options, such as water births and a Birthing Chair, for women who prefer to deliver out of bed.
“We recognize that childbirth is a natural process and we are passionate about giving women the birthing experience they desire,” Hart continues. “If that desire is minimizing pain, we offer many management options, including epidurals, hydrotherapy and medications. If the mother desires to deliver via natural birth methods, we provide the opportunity in a safe setting with immediate medical back up administered as needed.”
With a certified obstetrical nursing staff and 24-hour neonatology coverage, the Family Birthing Center’s Level II Nursery is able to handle emergencies that may arise during childbirth and care for babies born up to two months premature. The unit’s infant security system makes safety a top priority, ensuring peace of mind for new parents.
The Family Birthing Center of St. Mary Medical Center recently received the 2015 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics. This award recognizes the hospital as one of the top in the nation for pre- and post-natal care, based on clinical excellence and female patient satisfaction scores.
The hospital is also participating in the Baby-Friendly accreditation program, recognizing the Family Birthing Center as setting the standards for best practices in maternity care. These practices include utilizing baby friendly methods, such as skin-to-skin and rooming-in, and following evidence-based techniques that increase breastfeeding initiation and duration.
For more information on the Family Birthing Center at St. Mary Medical Center, visit comhs.org/stmary.