Memorial Health System
08/11/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/11/2022 11:55
Springfield Memorial Hospital Opens Renovated Maternity Suites
The $3.87 million project involved 23,464 square feet of space on the nonprofit hospital's seventh floor. The renovations included 10 labor rooms, nine postpartum rooms and two obstetric emergency spaces, as well as a newborn procedure room, a well newborn nursery and a special care newborn nursery.
On average, about 1,000 babies are delivered at Springfield Memorial Hospital each year, according to Kathryn Patrick, Family Maternity Suites nurse manager.
"Our renovated Family Maternity Suites allow our families to experience the birth they want in an environment that is warm and supportive," said Patrick. "The new spaces also allow our clinical team to deliver the best quality care to our mothers and babies using the latest technology and equipment."
Each of the renovated labor suites features a Jacuzzi tub with wall and handheld shower heads, which can be used for comfort during labor, said Patrick.
"We also provide birthing balls, and our new suites feature labor beds designed to best assist a woman in labor," she said. "In addition, our labor nurses all receive specific training to support the families and their individual birthing plans."
Additional features throughout the space include headwalls that allow physicians to better monitor the health of babies during labor and delivery and state-of-the-art infant warmers that keep air and oxygen supplies for newborns quick and easy to access.
Mothers labor, deliver and recover in the same room. Afterward, to provide a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere, families are moved to a private postpartum suite.
"We encourage our families to keep baby in the same room with them as much as they desire - day and night - to help establish a warm and nurturing relationship," said Beth Fullington, director of nursing operations at Springfield Memorial Hospital.
Postpartum suites offer recliners and couches that can be made into sleeping spaces for birth partners, as well as wood accents and artwork that make for a modern space that feels like home, said Fullington.
"Our maternity patient suites and clinical spaces were designed and updated keeping in mind all that is required for us to deliver the best care to our mothers and families in an environment that is safe and comfortable," said Fullington.