The
Delivery Suite
- Our birthing suite in Alexandria Virginia looks more like a Hyatt Regency
than a typical hospital delivery unit. What we have for our patients today
is the result of more than 15 years of careful research and admittedly,
trial and error. Along the way we have endured three major renovations
in an effort to get it just right. When I arrived almost 20 years ago we
had one labor room designated as the birthing suite. The only thing that
made it different were the yellow gingham curtains, and the attitude of
the patient that occupied the room!
How we have changed! As the birthing suites have slowly developed, the hospital nursing staff, and indeed the administration have become our biggest supporters.
Today each of the ten labor and delivery rooms has:
hard wood floors
a birthing bed with tester chintz
a couch for the support person
(assuming they have time for a nap)
a full bath with shower to help
with the pain of early labor
an integral waiting room for
the family so they can be close at hand
There is also on the floor:
A patient refreshment center
just up the hall
Color televisions everywhere
to keep the atmosphere homey and to remind you how truly worthless he is
when "the game" is on!
What is not so apparent is all the high tech wizardry that is cleverly concealed and at the ready if truly needed. In fact we have neonatologists (we hide them too) in attendance 24 hours a day, and the state of the art neonatal intensive care unit is two floors up, just in case it's needed. Of course we have full capabilities for surgical emergencies should they occur.
Remember technology, well conceived and applied, is marvelous. Know that the main challenge, in fact the art, is understanding when intervention is truly needed. We think our results speak for themselves. In 1996, 91% of our 250 cases delivered vaginally, Our VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) success rate was 80%, our breech management includes a 50% successful version rate and selected vaginal breech deliveries. Last but certainly not least, our episiotomy rate for first time moms was 30%. We think we are right on track. Any questions? E-mail us or come in for a free consultation!