WELCOME YOUR BABY WITH PERSONALIZED CARE

Valley Baptist-Harlingen Upgraded Mother-Baby Unit

by Matt Lynch | photos by Alissa Castañeda

While giving birth to a healthy baby is usually the top priority for moms-to-be, both ambiance, and comfort often play large roles in a positive and memorable birth experience, and hospital stay with their newborn.

To help new mothers make the most of their experience, Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen has recently transformed its mother-baby unit.

Upgrades from updated furniture to new bathroom fixtures have been selected to create a more modern and appealing look to help new mothers feel more comfortable and right at home during their stay, said Isaura Figueroa, MSN, RN, and clinical director of labor and delivery, OB ED & obstetrics at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.

“The mothers of our community have given us the special opportunity to ensure safe outcomes for mom and baby, and their birth experience is a journey that is unique every time,” she said. “We are truly humbled to play a role in each of these stories, and that means doing everything in our power to make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible.”

The recent renovation has touched nearly all Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s Mother-Baby Unit. Fresh, new paint with accent walls throughout the space creates a warm and inviting environment for mothers-to-be and their guests. New furniture that compliments the color scheme adds another layer of comfort during maternity stays.

There was a thoughtful approach to the upgrades, with true attention to detail paid during the course of the project, Figueroa said. New flooring and updated, refaced cabinets were installed throughout the unit to complete the visual experience. In contrast, new integrated, solid surface sinks and new shower fixtures add to both the comfort level and functionality of rooms throughout the mother-baby unit.

Figueroa said that while the new look and feel of the rooms are positive changes for patient experience, new mothers can count on the same high-quality, comprehensive care that has been offered at Valley BaptistHarlingen for generations.

“Valley Baptist-Harlingen has been serving the mothers of our community for almost a century,” she said. “We’ve gone through many looks throughout the years, but one thing has remained the same — our commitment to quality patient care and providing the very best experience to our mothers and their babies.”

In addition to room renovations, Valley Baptist-Harlingen will soon re-launch a number of free education classes for expecting mothers. Figueroa said the classes, which were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, will play an important role in providing comprehensive healthcare for mothers in the community.

“Learning about how to cope with labor, delivery, and breastfeeding is very important because it gives a new mom an insight of what to expect when they come to the hospital,” she said. “For example, there are so many myths out there about breastfeeding, and our goal is to make this a very positive and successful experience for mom, baby, and family.”

Figueroa said that when it comes to education, the goal is to involve family members so that mothers can use them as valuable support systems as they adjust to life with a newborn.

“Involving family members is a crucial part of this journey because our culture is extremely united, and a new mother needs that support,” she said. “If everyone is involved and has an educated standpoint, she is more likely to succeed and/or ask for help when needed.”

Childbirth education and breastfeeding classes are also available at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. For more information, visit www.valleybaptist.net.