Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Spring 2018

We are Baby-Friendly® Regional Medical Center (RMC) Anniston was the first hospital in Alabama to receive designation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. This global initiative of the World Health Organization and UNICEF recognizes hospitals and birth centers that implement specific measures designed to promote breastfeeding or safe formula feeding and encourage mother-baby bonding. At RMC, every stable infant is placed in skin-to-skin contact with mom immediately after birth. Nurses encourage moms to attempt breastfeeding during that time. This important time encourages bonding, activates the baby’s immune system and helps regulate the baby’s temperature and glucose levels. The staff promotes breastfeeding on demand, and babies “room-in” with mom. RMC’s team of international board-certified lactation consultants visit with mom every day to offer advice and help with breastfeeding issues. The RMC staff respects personal preferences if a mom chooses not to breastfeed. We encourage and educate moms on ways to promote bonding and healthy feeding practices. it helps them relax and decreases the perception of pain. After it is discontinued, the effects of nitrous oxide disappear within five minutes. For women having cesarean sections, RMC offers a multimodal approach to pain management. We help moms get ahead of the pain with medications scheduled in advance, reducing the need for narcotics. Moms can more easily move around, more effectively breastfeed, and better enjoy the experience with well-managed pain relief. Beyond delivery Following delivery and recovery, you will be in a private mother/baby postpartum room, with care provided by specially trained clinicians. Certified lactation consultants are available to assist with inpatient breastfeeding support, and they’ll 9 rmccares.org follow up at home, up to your baby’s first birthday. Dedicated resources Parents now have a new option to find answers to questions about pregnancy, delivery, preparing for life at home with your new baby and more. As your advocate, Shelley Birchfield, RN, OB clinical coordinator, helps to educate parents-to-be and works to ensure a safe, personalized delivery experience. “In my role as maternity specialist, I help parents navigate the pregnancy journey and make sure the right care is available for mom and baby,” says Birchfield. “I’m part of the ‘whole mother experience’ and work closely with our OB physicians and nursing teams to coordinate mom’s care.” At a glance Over the past two years, Regional Medical Center (RMC) Anniston has seen a significant increase in the number of newborn deliveries. With 1,944 births last year, the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at RMC Anniston offers: ●   ● 10 LDR birthing suites ●   ● 20 postpartum rooms ●   ● Level II special care nursery
 ●   ● Prenatal and natural childbirth classes ●   ● Sibling classes ●   ● Breastfeeding classes ●   ● Lactation services ( 256-235-5132, ext. 1 ) and breastfeeding supplies for purchase ●   ● Rooming in
 ●   ● Low-intervention delivery options, including water labor
 ●   ● Doulas welcomed, as desired by patients ●   ● Skin-to-skin care after delivery
 ●   ● “Security Blanket” 24-hour hotline for new parents ( 256-235-5631 ) ●   ● Maternity specialist ( 256-235-5603 ) Jerrod Brown Studios