Leo Pahlke
October 8, 2007October 10
October 10, 2007
Expectant mothers can rest comfortably in the newly-remodeled Labor and Delivery Unit at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland. The hospital unveiled its new addition last week.
The new wing is located on the first floor of the hospital. It includes three labor, delivery and recovery rooms and an observation room.
“Last year, Ochsner St. Anne delivered approximately 250 infants,” said Milton Bourgeois Jr., hospital CEO. “With these improvements, we hope to appeal to families seeking a more intimate birthing experience, and anticipate delivering up to 350 babies in 2008.”
The unit is staffed by local obstetricians Dr. Fredrick Cardwell, Dr. Charles Faucheaux and Dr. Gregory Morris.
“Welcoming a baby into the world isn’t easy, so at Ochsner St. Anne, we’re working to make the families’ surroundings as comfortable as possible,” explained Marsha Arabie, RN, MN, and assistant administrator. “The facility’s renovations include larger rooms, soothing décor and state-of-the-art fetal monitoring, where doctors can check the labor progress of the mothers from their home or office.”
For parents-to-be who utilize music or videos for relaxation techniques, the rooms have 32-inch, flat-screen televisions and CD/radio players.
Louisiana artist Emery Clark has incorporated multiple art mediums in the suite; soothing photographs and tranquil music that help promote healing, Champagne said.
Clark’s work is an ongoing project at St. Anne, to create an atmosphere of peace, serenity and security through imagery. Her paintings feature the ocean and sandy beaches.
“Nature, landscapes and calm waters project a peaceful and nurturing environment for both patients and staff,” Clark said. “Studies have shown that exposure to these themes can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and diminish the need for pain medication.”
“We have been waiting for the new addition for several years,” Champagne added. “Women want the updated labor, delivery and recovery experience.”
A number of expectant parents have been anticipating the opening of the new wing said Lisa Adams, supervisor of the St. Anne’s Women Clinic in Raceland.
Several OB/GYN nurses, who are also nearing their due dates, are also anticipating delivering their babies in the new wing. Two such staffers – Sarah Billiot and Lisa Knight – will utilize the new wing come December and March, respectively.
In addition to delivery services, Ochsner St. Anne also provides a variety of free prenatal and parenting classes available at the hospital, including Lamaze and sibling classes.
The post-partal wing (following birth) and newborn nursery are located on the third floor of the hospital. The nursery, which has space for more than 10 newborns, is a licensed for Level I care.
This includes evaluating and caring for healthy newborns, stabilizing small or sick infants prior to transfer to a Level II NICU, a maternal transport, when possible, for pregnancies of less than 34 weeks.
“Should an infant require more intensive care, Ochsner is licensed to transport babies to Ochsner’s Level III Regional NICU on Jefferson Highway in New Orleans,” said Dr. Alfred Robichaux, Ochsner Health System’s chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Community pediatricians and family practitioners staff the newborn nursery, and “since new moms have plenty to think about while they’re in the hospital, Ochsner St. Anne’s newborn nursery staff offers new moms the basics on infant care such as breastfeeding and basic hands-on care,” Champagne said. “The more parents know about the needs of their baby, the better prepared they are to enjoy their baby’s first years.”
Registered Nurse Goldie Hidalgo, an OB/GYN nurse at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland, re-assembles the newly-renovated birthing unit after a weekend training seminar. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
