Extraordinary Care and Comfort at Saint John’s Birthing Center

Saint John’s Birthing Center knows what a mother wants when she is bringing her new bundle of joy into the world – an easy delivery as possible with the best care available for her child and herself.  Measures have been put in place at Saint John’s Birthing Center to make the birthing experience as worry free and comfortable as possible for mom and baby. 

Naturally, the birth of the baby is the main focus of the Birthing Center, but the comfort of the mother is just as important.  Labor care packs are now distributed to each new mother with necessities for her stay such as shampoo, lotion, hand cleanser, socks, lip balm, and a dental cleanser.  Insulated travel mugs are provided to hold ice chips during labor and then mothers can use them for other beverages after delivery.  Saint John’s also supplies diaper bags to new parents with additional educational material for the care of their infant.  In the near future, new mothers will have the option to receive a massage as well.

For mother’s who choose to breastfeed, a trained lactation consultant is on staff to assist with different feeding techniques.

Because new mom’s eating schedule may not coincide with typical meal times, the Saint John’s Food Service now offers room service to Birthing Center patients.  Patients can now choose from a variety of menu options and the meal is prepared to their specifications and delivered to their room.  However, if it is only a snack that a patient or family member is seeking, then they only need to visit the complimentary snack area located on the unit or the snack cart the makes rounds periodically.

Advances are also being made in the care of the newborns at Saint John’s Birthing Center.  A state-of the-art color ultrasound machine with a small monitor for the mother to watch and three new fetal monitors have been added to the unit. 

The detection and treatment of jaundice infants is now less intrusive for the infant.  A newborn’s initial bilirubin count can now be detected by a forehead scan from a device called Bilichek instead of taking a blood sample from the heel.  For infants who need more intense treatment for jaundice, the once daunting bili-lights have been replaced by a light one-tenth the size and three times the strength. 

In the event that extra attention is needed, the Saint John’s Birthing Center also has a level two nursery so they infants can receive that added attention.  Because Saint John’s is a health ministry of St.Vincent Health, our patients have direct access to St.Vincent’s Women’s Hospital’s level three nursery if your infant needs additional medical care.

Security of the new bundles of joy is always on the minds of the caregivers at the Saint John’s Birthing Center.  In addition to being a locked unit, new color security cameras have been installed to monitor the activity on the unit.  As before, identification bracelets with a common number are given to the infant and mother to ensure that no one but the mother is given the infant.  To increase the level of assurance, an identification bracelet is given to the father and common number is on the clamp placed the infant’s umbilical cord.  These additions are to ensure parents that they are in safe, secure, and comfortable environment during their miraculous event.

Professional photography packages are now offered by local photographers Angie Poore-Mollenkopf and Dale Pickett.  The photographers come to the hospital to capture those precious first days.  Also available are photos through Cherished Memories, taken by trained Birthing Center staff members.  The Cherished Memories photographs may be placed on a secure website that can be shared with loved ones and friends. 

Saint John’s Birthing Center offers classes and tours for expectant mothers.  For more information, call (765)646-8117.