New PVH birthing center offers comfort, quality care

By Gary Kimsey
Poudre Valley Hospital

When Mary and Greg Barron decided to have a baby, they didn't know they'd be one of the first couples to have a newborn in Poudre Valley Hospital's new $12.6-million birthing center, which opened this summer.

The Fort Collins couple also didn't know they would be among the first to use the new special care nursery that is part of the new birthing center.

Their baby, Brooke, was born July 18. She was three weeks early and had a nearly normal healthy weight of 7 pounds, 4 ounces. But some issues existed with Brooke's ability to feed, so Brooke was placed in the Level II special care nursery to help her physiological functions mature.

The 14-bed Level II nursery is where babies that have some medical issues are treated. Sicker babies are cared for in the adjacent five-bed Level III nursery.

With improvements made in the special care nursery during the 14-month remodeling and improvement project, PVH has been able to expand its neonatal services in anticipation of becoming a Level III special care nursery in the near future.

This will allow the hospital to care for smaller, sicker babies. In the past, critically ill babies were transported to Denver hospitals that offer Level III care.

When the Level III designation is completed, PVH will be the only northern Colorado hospital to provide that high level of care, said Pat Bohling-Smith, clinical director of the hospital's women and children's services. "This is a major step forward for baby care in our region," she said.

"Transporting ill babies to Denver can cause additional stress on them," she added. "There is also the extreme inconvenience and mental, physical and financial challenges for the families."

The Barrons' experience with Brooke was similar to what other parents discover in the new special care nursery.

Brooke was placed in a clear-plastic incubator in a cozy nook with low lighting and comforting warmth. Her mother and father were able to sit nearby in soft easy chairs where they could reach out and touch their newborn, talk to her and bond.

In addition to the special care facilities, the birthing center has 12 new labor and delivery rooms, as well as two triage rooms for performing labor progress and necessary tests. There are also two antepartum rooms for expectant mothers who must be hospitalized prior to delivery.

The labor and delivery rooms defy the public's old stereotype of white-painted, brightly lit, sterile-looking birthing facilities.

The new rooms are stylish and comfortable, inviting family and visitors to relax. Walls are painted with soothing colors. Cabinets were created with warm mixtures of maple and cherry wood. Jacuzzi tubs are available in some rooms. Medical equipment for a delivery is stored out of sight until needed and is easily accessible. A powerful light used during delivery, for example, descends from the ceiling when a switch is flipped.

The ambience is subdued and homey. This is a touch that came during the design process that was led by obstetric physicians and nurses, many of whom have birthed their own children in hospitals.

"We spent a lot of time talking it all through so the experience would be as comfortable as possible for the mother and her family," Bohling-Smith said.

PVH undertook the birthing center remodeling and expansion to provide more comfort, convenience, additional space and advanced equipment for the birthing process.

Another reason was to meet a rapidly increasing number of births. A decade ago, about 1,800 babies a year were born at PVH; in 2003, 2,700. An annual increase of 3 percent is expected in the coming years.

While the setting is new, pleasant and appealing, the birthing center staff offers another important feature: quality and experienced care. That's something Mary Barron can give a testimonial to.

"It's beautiful and the care has been incredible," she said.