Center focuses on healthy moms, babies and choice

Of all life's miracles, the birth of a child must surely top the list. At Bonner General Hospital's Family Centered Maternity Unit, that miracle is carefully nurtured and protected by the unit's philosophy that patient safety and patient choice are their top priorities.

After recognizing a need to revisit and clarify the existing philosophy, extensive research, professional presentations, and staff involvement have resulted in our mission being centering upon "healthy mom, healthy baby and choice."

Realizing that each family's birthing experience is as unique as the family itself, our healthcare team helps them make informed choices for care during pregnancy, labor, birth, post-partum and of their newborn.

We want the experience to be everything the family hopes for. Within the boundaries of safety, and based on informed choices, the family's preferences will be respected.

Our professionals know that every woman has different expectations and beliefs about childbirth. Our moms are encouraged to develop a birth plan with their physician in advance of hospitalization. Of course, the plan is fluid and dynamic and based upon the woman's needs and wants, which can change during the course of the pregnancy. We understand the possibility of change and our expectant mothers can be assured of our support in their evolving wishes.

One example of the wide variation of preferences is pain management during labor and delivery. Some woman prefer natural childbirth while others are comfortable knowing that pain relief is available 24 hours a day. Pain management can include breathing and relaxation techniques, showers and baths, labor analgesia and epidural services. We are prepared to meet the needs and preferences of each mother as an individual based on choices made by her and with her physician.

Feeding newborns is another decision each mother considers during her pregnancy. Whether the choice is formula or breast feeding, our wonderful BGH Auxiliary provide a gift bag adapted to the needs of that feeding choice. Our specialists are available to support whatever decision a mother makes in feeding her baby.

Formal nursing standards have been adopted. Susan Montgomery, DNS, emphasized these standards support continuously elevating nursing practice, competencies, ethics, family health education and counseling, collaboration, professional responsibility and accountability. In short, our professionals are growing and changing in stride with the ever evolving complexities of maternity healthcare, and we aim for that growth to insure that we provide our community with healthy moms, healthy babies, and choice.

Our BGH Family Centered Maternity Unit is a busy place where an average of 400 babies enter the world each year. The hospital owes big thanks to Rotarian Ryan Luttmann, who chose to redecorate four of our rooms as his Rotary President's Project. Thanks also to his fellow Rotarians who are giving of their time to help him. The rooms will be a beautiful place for new families to get acquainted.

We are proud of our maternity unit and it's philosophy of putting the safety and birthing preferences of families above all else. What better place to experience a miracle?