Family Birthing Center
The birth of a child is a
special and memorable event. When it comes to childbirth and caring for women
and newborns, Southwest Memorial Hospital takes a family-centered approach. The
Family Birth Center provides care from pregnancy through labor, delivery, and
discharge of the mother and baby.
Women go through the entire
process of labor, delivery and immediate recovery in comfortable, home-like
rooms and surgical suites are available for C-section delivery. The Family
Birthing Center is staffed by registered nurses, many of which have received
special certification in obstetrics nursing.
Our Level I newborn nursery
is staffed by specially trained nurses certified in neonatal resuscitation to
ensure the safety and health of babies.
Birthing Suites
Southwest Memorial Hospital enjoys a dedicated medical and nursing staff whose
experience delivering many of our newest residents (there were 214 deliveries at
Southwest Memorial Hospital during 2009) shows in their day-to-day activities.
The hospital has two birthing suites featuring special birthing beds, a
comfortable home-like atmosphere and furnishings, and special equipment to care
for newborns. There’s also a rocking chair for private moments alone with the
newborn and for those special "introductions" when children, friends and
relatives first meet the newest member of the family.
Staff/Assignment
Upon admission to Southwest Memorial Hospital mothers-to-be are assigned an obstetrical nurse trained
to handle all phases of the birth process. When the time comes for delivery, the
patient has this same nurse at her side. Care is taken so that every woman feels
that she has familiar support in comfortable surroundings throughout the
birthing process. Patients are not separated from family members unless they
need to be alone.
Equipment
Sophisticated monitoring equipment keeps the physician and nursing staff
apprised of the medical condition of both mom and baby throughout the birth
process. Trained labor and delivery nurses concentrate on making the birth
experience as comfortable and safe as possible. Nursery and rooming-in-services
are provided after the baby’s birth.
Visitors
The birth of a child is an exciting event and one in which family and friends
love to share. But it can also be a tiring time for new mothers. Family and
friends are welcome to visit anytime, keeping in mind the new mother’s need for
rest following delivery and her need to bond with her newborn during those first
critical hours and days. Visiting children must be over twelve years old unless
they are siblings. To protect the health of mothers and babies, people with
contagious illnesses will not be allowed to visit.
Hearing Screening
Every baby born at Southwest Memorial Hospital receives hearing screening. The test is performed while
the baby is asleep, takes about 15 minutes, and is painless. The screening
provides early identification and intervention of hearing loss.
Childbirth Education Classes
Childbirth education classes and mother and baby education are offered to help
the family prepare for the new baby, and our staff is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, to answer questions during and after the hospital stay.