The Women’s Center
Let us baby you in a soothing, caring environment that’s been nationally recognized for excellence four years in a row.
Whether you’re due to deliver your first or are a grandmother facing menopause, The Women’s Center and our women’s services at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital can meet your needs in a beautiful setting enhanced by hotel-room style décor and water views. We have Board-Certified OB/GYNs, obstetrical nurses, neo-natal nurse practitioners, and a support team that are specially trained to make your procedure, and your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
Obstetrical Services
Childbirth Education: Our comprehensive childbirth education program is intended to meet the needs of first-time, as well as experience parents. Classes include childbirth education, sibling classes for children aged 3 to 7, infant CPR and even a special class just for Dads.
Labor and Delivery: Our birthing suites are designed to take Mom and baby from labor to delivery to post partum in the same room. While your nurse and doctor closely monitor your progress and have fully-equipped surgical suites and anesthesiologists standing by 24 hours a day, our goal is to make your birth experience as comfortable as being at home.
C-Section: According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, there are many reasons a cesarean birth may be necessary. These include a very large baby, a multiple pregnancy, failure of labor to progress, fetal distress, and medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or placenta previa in which the placenta covers all or part of the cervix. The vast majority of c-sections are performed while the Mom is awake, with her husband or support coach nearby. A tent separates the surgeon from Mom & Coach, and the anesthesiologist enhances the labor epidural or administers a spinal. Most Moms are able to bond with their babies right away after a c-section, just as they would in a normal delivery.
V-BAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean): There are several medical factors your OB/GYN will take into account to determine if you are a candidate for a V-BAC. Classic incisions are most likely to rupture during a V-BAC, so women with these types of incisions from previous births are often advised not to attempt a V-BAC. The best candidates are those women who had low, transverse incisions (a side-to-side cut made on the lower part of the uterus). Research indicates that the further along a woman was during her first labor when she needed a c-section, the less likely she’ll have a successful vaginal birth in her second labor. In addition, if you’re carrying a larger baby, your doctor may determine that a V-BAC is too risky. Also, doctors will typically not induce labor for a V-BAC.
Water births: Support in water is one of the most beneficial things that can be offered to a woman in labor. The water provides a calming influence and a peaceful relaxed atmosphere that promotes complete freedom of movement and deep concentration. The effect of buoyancy the deep-water immersion creates allows for spontaneous movement of the mother. No one has to help Mom get into a new position, rather she can move as her body and the position of the baby dictate, which helps open the pelvis allowing the baby to descend. Because she’s free from gravity’s pull and calmer, the water often has an analgesic effect that helps Mom produce her own pain inhibitors.
Lactation Support: Lactation support is available to you any time during your stay. Feeding patterns, proper latch-on, basic positioning, and breast care helps new Moms make successful breast-feeders. Breast feeding has been shown to have positive and long-lasting affects on the health of new babies.
Web Nursery: You can point friends and family to our online Web nursery, where they can see a picture of your new baby 24/7/365.
To get a referral to one of our OB/GYNs on staff at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, please call (727) 943-3600.