It almost makes you want to grow your family just for the awesome experience you'd have at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital's newly renovated Family Birthplace at its Lake Saint Louis location. With a spa-like atmosphere and an assortment of amenities, this is a new go-to destination for expecting parents. Amenities include aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, various positioning devices (such as exercise balls), wireless speakers, nitrous oxide, private room, and a fully-stocked complimentary refreshment station.
"The first thing we did was ask for moms who had delivered here within a year to do a focus group," said Jennifer Wedner, RN, Director of Family Birthplace at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital. Then, they listened to what the moms had to say. “For instance, the bathroom has been doubled in size. It's a very nice spa-like atmosphere. It is beautiful; the colors have been updated. We offer more amenities such as hydrotherapy and aromatherapy."
In this newly renovated space, families can enjoy a new level of comfort in one of ten private, spacious Labor Delivery Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) rooms. The goal is for new mothers to stay in the same room for their entire stay. This includes birth, recovery and rooming-in with baby all in the same room, unless medical needs arise."
Each room is much larger to accommodate overnight stays by a family member. "Every mom and baby will receive one-on-one care 24/7,” Jennifer explained, “so mom is able to learn about her baby and how to care for her baby from the nursing staff 24 hours a day. Mom will learn various cues to know if baby is hungry, has a dirty diaper, etc. Families can enjoy the new space and its amenities while resting assured they are receiving top quality care."
The Family Birthplace at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital has received the Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award, is Baby Friendly certified, and has a four-star rating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Additionally, they have a cesarean rate far below state and national averages and recently implemented the AIM Hypertension Safety Bundle.
The Family Birthplace provides care for a wide range of births from natural to high-risk and all points in between. They offer techniques to support unmedicated, natural births and can also support Vaginal Births After Cesarean section (VBAC), if mom and doctor consider it safe and appropriate. There is always an anesthesiologist onsite for epidurals. The Family Birthplace also has a dedicated surgical suite on the same floor if a Cesarean section is needed.
"The first few minutes after birth are a magical time. Directly after birth, the Family Birthplace encourages mother, baby and the support person to celebrate the Golden Hour. This is an uninterrupted time for the mother to initiate breastfeeding early. The Golden Hour has many benefits for mother and baby including helping baby regulate temperature and respiration. There are lactation consultants available to offer support once the baby arrives and even after discharge, if needed."
With its connection to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, pediatricians from that hospital are available 24/7 to assist the obstetrician if needed. There is also a Level II Newborn Nursery onsite supported by neonatologists from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for babies born at 32 weeks gestation or greater.
The safety of the hospital’s tiniest patients is a top priority for SSM. Mother and baby both wear hospital bracelets and are asked repeatedly for name and date of birth. There is also a special security system that ensures baby is always behind locked doors.
In closing, Jennifer said, “Here at SSM, we're going to take care of every patient just like we would for ourselves and assure they get exceptional care.”
For more information about the Family Birthplace, call 636-625-5335.