CTMC Women's Center

The birth of your child is one of the most miraculous moments your family will ever experience.  With this in mind, our new Women’s Center has been specially designed to provide you and your family with an exceptional birthing experience. 

From the spacious and tranquil family waiting room to all private patient rooms, Well-Baby Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), every space and service has been designed to create a peaceful, healing atmosphere for your entire birthing experience.

While moms and their new babies are the focus, the love and support from family and friends are an important part of the birthing experience as well. In order to accommodate the support person, the Women’s Center features special amenities including flat screen televisions, rocking chairs, sleeper sofas for Dad, free Wi-Fi, nutrition stations, a Meditation Garden and more.

Tours of the Women's Center are offered every first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.  For more information call 753-3528.

The Women’s Center features:

2 Private Ante-Partum Rooms for preterm labor or moms who require hospitalization.
7 Private Labor/Delivery and Recovery Rooms
1 Semi –Private Triage  room, in which women will be assessed for labor prior to being admitted or discharged.
18 Private OB Patient Rooms in which you and your baby will stay and rest until your discharge
Well-Baby Newborn Nursery
2  C-Section Operating Rooms
9-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Labor and Delivery tub

Expect an unparalleled team of experts
The new Women’s Center features an expanded team of Obstetricians, perinatologists who specialize in high-risk pregnancy and neonatologists who specialize in caring for babies requiring a NICU.

Expect safety & security
For the safety of our patients, three security bracelets are placed on each newborn immediately following the birth. The first two have a code, which matches a code on the mother's bracelet.  The third will activate an alarm if the infant is carried outside the locked doors of the unit. In addition, 24-hour video surveillance is in place and constantly monitored.
 
Expect help -- our babies come with instructions
We are pleased to offer a number of educational offerings in preparation for your child’s birth. All of our programs are offered in both English and Spanish. For a complete schedule of classes, click here.  This is a quick list of what’s available:
• Childbirth Education for First-time Moms
• Childbirth Refresher (returning Moms)
• Cradle of Care (all Moms and dads)
• Cesarean Section Class
• Breastfeeding Class (including ongoing lactation consultation)
• Preview Facility Tours

Many Birthing Options for Today’s Family
Whether you are delivering your first child or your third, today’s mom has many birthing options for creating a family-centered experience.  When expectant parents visualize their big day, the ideal image is probably relaxed and controlled.  To achieve this comfort and sense of control, you and your partner should review your options in advance.  Know what matters most to your family and discuss your feelings about natural childbirth, using an epidural and the strategies that will help you remain comfortable and focused.  Also research new birthing options that weren’t available with previous pregnancies.  CTMC is proud to offer a laboring tub to laboring mothers, birthing coaches are welcome, and our team is experienced with natural childbirth strategies.

About the labor tub
This option is offered for women who will not be using an epidural for pain control.   There is a sense of comfort in a warm water tub that relaxes the mother as she is able to shift positions easily and stretch as needed.  The water’s buoyancy lessens the mother’s body weight and promotes more efficient contractions and better blood circulation.  This will translate to less pain for the mother and more oxygen for the baby.  Reducing anxiety during labor and delivery can also reduce fetal complications. 

About Birthing Coaches
Most women look to their husbands to act as birthing coach during the labor process.  This is a meaningful experience that a couple can share as their baby is born.  Another option available to a woman is the ability to have a personal birthing coach (or doula) present.  Often other family members are just as emotional or anxious as mom is and having a trained coach can alleviate fears or keep mom focused on her intended birthing plan.

While CTMC labor-delivery nurses are experienced and helpful with encouragement and guidance for laboring moms, expecting parents are welcome to bring a birthing coach.  A doula (a Greek word meaning "women supporting women") is not a medical professional, but a personal assistant who provides support and encouragement throughout labor and delivery.  While honoring the mother’s birth plan, the labor nurse or physician will play the primary role in deciding what is in the best interest of the mom and/or baby should there be complications or concerns.

Planning a Natural Delivery
If you decide to have a natural delivery, the team at CTMC will gladly support your decision.  In order to prepare, you will want to plan ahead and know what to expect during your delivery.  Gathering the right comfort items and understanding relaxation techniques can help you reach your goal.  These things won’t eliminate all the pain you feel during labor, but they will help you keep it at a level that is manageable without medication.

-Labor positions are vital because they change the location of pressure and help your baby to move.  Pelvic rocking, walking, swaying and squatting can all help your baby move through the pelvis.  A position that wasn’t comfortable at the beginning of labor may be helpful toward the end.  Stay flexible to what feels best at each stage and encourage your partner to be ready for shifts.
-Labor tools can be a favorite pillow or blanket, comfortable socks, a CD of music that relaxes you, books to help you pass time in between contractions, or a tennis ball for your partner to use during back massages.
- Early in your pregnancy, you should study relaxation techniques so you will be ready to eliminate some of the unnecessary pain of childbirth. Relaxing through pain takes practice.  You will need to be familiar with your different muscle groups and know what works for you personally.
By choosing the right environment for your delivery, having the right labor support and visualizing the birth experience that is right for you, you can achieve the delivery you want.  Let CTMC help you with your natural delivery.