Family-Centered Maternity Unit gives parents options

One of my favorite places at Bonner General Hospital is the Family-Centered Maternity Unit, or “FCMU.” There's something about a place where new life is being brought into the world that's hard to describe, although all new parents surely understand that feeling.

I'm amazed by how much the childbirth experience has changed over time.

When I was born, my mother was wheeled away to a delivery room while my father waited in the hospital lobby to find out if I was a boy or a girl.

Now, not only can dads be present during the entire experience, they're often active participants.

Parents-to-be have many options to choose from when preparing to bring a new baby into the world. So what can you expect if you choose to have your baby at Bonner General Hospital?

First and foremost, our staff recognizes that childbirth should be a time of celebration for the entire family. With that in mind, everyone involved in the birth experience strives to provide a family-centered atmosphere for this special event.

Because there's much to learn before the baby arrives, BGH provides education classes to guide expecting parents through pregnancy and childbirth.

Classes are held every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the hospital, covering a wide range of topics such as the do's and don'ts of pregnancy, fetal growth and development, physical changes during pregnancy, good nutrition, and what to expect during your hospital stay.

Bonner General Hospital staff will provide individualized care during labor and delivery based on the birthing plan that you have created.

All of the hospital's labor and delivery rooms are private and are equipped with lavatories, color televisions, telephones and comfortable birthing beds.

A husband or other support person is both welcome and encouraged to be present during labor and delivery.

Bonner General utilizes state-of-the-art fetal monitoring systems, and 24-hour anesthesia support is available based on a woman's wishes and her physician's recommendations.

After the baby is born, new mothers are moved into private rooms, which are designed to allow husbands or another support person to stay overnight.

Your new baby will room-in with you around the clock so that you can get to know each other well before you go home.

A nursery is available for moms who need assistance caring for their newborn or for babies who require more nursing care for jaundice or similar conditions.

For breastfeeding mothers, a certified lactation consultant is available to help ensure this is a successful and positive bonding experience.

Before leaving the hospital, your baby will receive a newborn hearing screening, and you'll be offered a car seat safety inspection by one of the hospital's certified evaluators.

After you go home, a Bonner General Hospital nurse will follow up with you by phone to answer any questions you may have.

The childbirth experience is filled with many questions, so if you'd like more information about the services available at Bonner General Hospital, please contact the Family-Centered Maternity Unit at 265-1246.

n Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.