Perry County Memorial Hospital | Health Scene | Fall 2016

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They are images from
the not-so-distant past:
an anxious dad pacing
the waiting room, eager
for word of his wife and new baby.
Grandparents given just a peek of
their newest grandchild. A new
baby’s siblings, aunts and uncles kept
away.
What a difference a few decades
make. Today, childbirth is often con-
sidered a family
affair, with
loved ones and
friends visiting
the hospital and
even attending
the birth.
Special event
Having a
baby is a joy-
ful event that
many moms
understandably want to share with
others. And more women are glad to
be welcoming their babies through
a family-centered approach to
childbirth.
We’re proud to offer this style
of maternity care, which can help
family members be more involved in
the birthing process within the safe
environment of the hospital.
Doctors and nurses focus on
delivering high-quality medical care;
on what’s best for mom and her baby.
But women are encouraged to make
personal choices during the process
as well. And families and friends are
welcome to be involved.
Guiding principles
We know that mothers and their
families want a personalized experi-
ence during and after the birth of a
new baby. And we embrace a family-
centered model of childbirth by:
w w Recognizing the individual needs
of the mother and her family.
w w Providing coordinated, compas-
sionate care before, during and after
the birth.
Used baby cribs
Weak slats, ill-fitting mattresses, and
sides that go up and down: These com-
mon features of used cribs can endan-
ger your baby’s life. So for safety’s sake,
say “no, thanks” to secondhand cribs.
Source: March of Dimes
Pacifiers
Inspect baby pacifiers often. If they’re
discolored or torn, replace them—
pacifiers deteriorate over time.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
To learn
more
about our
childbirth
program,
or for a
tour, call
768-3274.
MAKE
WAY
FOR
w w Encouraging strong bonds be-
tween a mother and her newborn
and helping establish a good feeding
routine.
w w Having an experienced, skilled and
caring medical staff.
Here for new parents
One thing that hasn’t changed
over time is that new parents usually
have questions and concerns about
caring for a newborn.
You can be assured that staff
members are available 24 hours a
day to answer those questions and to
offer support and encouragement for
new families.
B
GOOD TO KNOW
ABY