Expecting parents now have the additional experience of welcoming their newest family members in our newly renovated Labor and Delivery suites.
This month, MelroseWakefield Hospital is putting the finishing touches on a renovated delivery space designed to provide a more hotel-like experience for patients. The rooms feature the latest in comfort and design amenities, such as luxury showers, modern furnishings and lighting, charging stations for personal electronics, sleeping arrangements for partners and abundant personal storage space.
“Having more luxurious surroundings in the hospital can help calm patients and make the experience less stressful,” said Kati Roe, MSN, RNC, director of Maternal-Newborn Services.
“Our physicians, nurses and staff take tremendous pride in delivering the next generation to the region,” said Daniel Witkowski, MD, chair, Department of OB/GYN at MelroseWakefield Hospital. “So many of our delivering parents tell us that they were born here, as were their parents. We want to make it an easy choice for them to keep those traditions. These renovations will enhance the levels of comfort and convenience that our patients are looking for in their birthing experience.”
Physicians, nurses, maternal-newborn staff and others worked together to inspire ideas for the renovations. “Having a baby is such a special experience. As a physician and mom who has recently been through the birth experience, I wanted the space to be as inviting and comfortable as it could be,” said Stephanie Bjork, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist.
All the renovated suites are now open, and patients and their families are already enjoying the new spaces and amenities.
“Patients really like the new suites and are more comfortable,” said Kelly Lenehan, BSN, RN. “A recent patient who returned to have her second baby was wowed by the difference, and prospective patients on our last tour were also quite impressed.”
A reflection of expert clinical care
The renovations are an extension of our equally impressive state-of-the-art medical care and are the latest in the hospital’s commitment to providing families and new mothers with the highest level of services. Our team of obstetricians, which has almost doubled over the past year, provides expert, compassionate care in the community. Additional services coming this fall include:
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Many women are candidates for vaginal delivery after having had cesarean delivery with a previous child. MelroseWakefield Hospital’s comprehensive team of anesthesiologists and obstetricians, supported by many ancillary services including fetal monitoring are again providing VBAC as an option for patients. This provides additional options for women when talking with their providers about delivery.
Nitrous Oxide for delivery
Anesthesiologists are also preparing to begin offering mothers in labor the option of using nitrous oxide as a calming and pain management agent. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective. Self-administered by the mother, it takes affect quicker than an epidural and does not affect the baby. Use of nitrous oxide is a growing request by mothers-to-be as it does not limit movement and has a relaxing affect that helps mothers better manage labor.
These are just a few of the examples of ways MelroseWakefield Hospital is providing advanced services locally.
