the Birthing Center AT ESSENTIA HEALTH

Labor and delivery experience

The rooms are designed to serve the needs of Essentia’s labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP) model of care. Each room features all the needed supplies, equipment and amenities a laboring woman needs as well as items for recovery and postpartum care.

One-on-one nursing care is provided for each patient, and the nurse doesn’t need to run back and forth for supplies or additional items. The rooms feature in-line medical gases such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. While the large canister is hidden, a line comes right out of the wall for timely and easy use.

During active labor, women no longer need to be tied to monitoring equipment making labor more comfortable. The unit uses telemetry — constant electronic monitoring — for laboring women, meaning a patient can be up and moving while the baby’s heart rate and mom’s contraction patterns are monitored. The medical aspect of your stay is behind beautiful cabinetry and is made to blend into the calm and comfortable surroundings.

Spacious rooms with oor-toceiling windows, a replace, calm and soothing décor, a whirlpool tub, a mini fridge and one-onone attention as well as aromatherapy, music and dimmable lighting may sound like the perfect spa getaway or a ve-star hotel. However, these are just a few things that make your labor and delivery experience at Essentia Health like nowhere else.

Big changes have been delivered to the birthing center at Essentia in Fargo. Remodeling is nearly complete in the 15 labor and delivery rooms on the top oor of the hospital and the windows provide a breathtaking view. Each room features nearly 420 square feet of space and is designed for the comfort, health and safety of mom and baby rst and foremost. Birth partners now have a couch that converts to a sofa-sleeper for a more comfortable stay as well.

Moorhead her baby boy, a.m.

A variety of relaxation techniques can be used at any time during labor, including a whirlpool tub, birthing ball, birthing bar, walking, distraction, position changes, dimmable lighting and breathing techniques. Rooms also feature a variety of pillows, music, hot or cold packs and aromatherapy. In addition, laughing gas, epidural and IV medications are available should you and your care team decide they are necessary.

6 a er arriving for her induction at 7 a.m. the day before. She was able to experience the amenities rsthand and made full use them. “The whirlpool tub was my favorite,” says Goraczkowski. “The rooms were so spacious; we didn’t feel boxed in, and everything was so nice.”

Rooms are designed to be used in high-risk deliveries as well. Each room features dedicated space if a baby needs additional care from our neonatal intensive care team after birth. Board certified neonatologists are available 24/7 to be at your delivery if necessary. Essentia features a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies born as early as 23 weeks or having any kind of complication or additional care needs.

Essentia’s NICU features large private family-centered rooms with space and amenities for parents to stay in the room at all times. Plus, a Ronald McDonald Room is just down the hall for parents to step away while still being close, grab a snack or take a shower.

In the case of a cesarean section delivery, the operating room suite is on the same oor and your labor nurse accompanies you to the procedure. Patients will notice there is no change in their care team if a C-section is needed.

Essentia Health features patient focused care. “We are known for honoring birth plans and our one-on-one nursing care,” shares Kecia Lund, nursing director for Women’s and Children’s Services. “The new rooms have a better, more intentional design along with a relaxing atmosphere and state-of-the-art safety.” The Birthing Center is a locked unit and features a security system for the safety of each baby.

“The nurses were so attentive to my every need,” shares Goraczkowski. “I felt very well cared for.”

Baby-Friendly designation

Essentia is the only Baby-Friendly designated hospital in Fargo and one of only two in the entire state. Baby-Friendly hospitals are the gold standard in breastfeeding and bonding practices between mother and child. Designation involves a rigorous process including application, on-site review and patient audits. Essentia is committed to ensuring your birth experience is the best it can be, and your baby starts their life on the right track.

Lund says, “Baby-Friendly means we are committed to providing evidence-based care and education to give parents the information they need to make informed decisions about how they want to feed and care for their baby, free from commercial interests and focused on what is best for baby.”

Baby-Friendly standards are adhered to for breastfeeding as well as formula feeding. Your choice is respected and supported, and caregivers provide the same level of information, education and support to each and every mother.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Essentia

Health’s high-quality, patient centered care in the Birthing Center at Essentia Health by visiting essentiahealth.org. [ aw ]