What to look for when choosing a hospital where you’ll give birth
Ask a pregnant person what they want for their birth experience, and you’ll get many answers. But even with the variety of answers one thing is clear: the ideal birth experience is one where you are listened to and heard, all are open to adapting and changing as needed, and parents-to-be feel empowered, giving them the confidence and support they need to welcome their new arrival.
Sentara Maternity Services understands that bringing a new life into the world is more than just a medical event; it's a profoundly personal and family-centered experience. Our compassionate care is rooted in honoring the wishes birth plans while ensuring the comfort and safety of both mom and baby.
“No matter where or how many times you’ve given birth, or how you’re hoping to have your baby, we want you to feel safe, heard and trusted,” says Jennifer Baugher, RN and team coordinator of patient care services for the Family Maternity Center at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, Va.
It’s your birth experience
While some may dream of a low-medical-intervention birth or a serene, dimly lit room with soothing music, others might prioritize IV and epidural pain relief earlier in labor. Our labor and delivery nurses can offer support and comfort measures to laboring persons.
Thinking about your birth goals starts well before labor begins. Pregnant patients can start documenting their birth goals using a birth plan app, online personal preference form and regularly talk to their OB-GYN or midwife about their options — online or through an online tool like Sentara MyChart.
Our care team members are trained to share various evidence-based support and techniques to help mothers achieve their ideal birth. Our skilled team also honors diverse preferences and cultural needs.
Comfort measures during your birth experience
In addition to traditional pain relief options, such as IV and epidural medications, the Sentara birth experience supports other ways to stay comfortable.
Comfort measures during labor include:
- Activity such as walking or rocking
- Breathing exercises
- A soothing environment with amenities such as sound machines and low lighting
- Relaxation techniques such as meditation
- Massage
- Music
- Vocalizations such as deep moaning
Sentara hospital labor and delivery units are equipped with many options to keep laboring moms comfortable, such as:
- Aromatherapy
- Birthing balls
- Birth stools
- Hydrotherapy
- Nitrous oxide
- Pushing bar
- TENS units, which send electrical impulses that can reduce pain signals
Please note: Check with the Sentara hospital of your choice to see which options are available.
Sentara welcomes doulas and labor support
A doula, or a labor support person, is a trained labor and birth assistant who helps pregnant patients before, during and in the immediate hours after labor and birth Sentara welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with a doula or labor support companion.
“A doula offers support to ease anxiety, provide comfort, and guide you through the birth process,” explains Donna Patno, RN and women’s health clinical manager at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
Doulas and labor support persons also know the details of birthing goals and the history of other influences, such as family dynamics, since pregnant people usually engage with them well before going into labor.
How does Sentara support your personalized birth experience?
“A personalized birth experience starts before labor begins,” explains Patno. “We try to anticipate needs as much as possible. Before birth, we ask pregnant persons who plan to deliver with us to complete a personalized profile questionnaire.”
This questionnaire considers physical comfort preferences, cultural beliefs, privacy and language needs, food allergies and sensitivities, previous birth experiences, and how patients would like to communicate with their healthcare team.
In addition, Sentara offers many other steps to honor patient choices and preferences:
- Support for all phases of the journey to parenthood: We provide classes, groups, and resources for every step, from childbirth education to postpartum support, empowering families for a smooth transition.
- Your comfort is a priority: Sentara believes in the importance of a soothing environment. Many of our labor and delivery rooms offer amenities like sound machines and low lighting options to create a calming atmosphere conducive to relaxation and focus during labor. (Check with your Sentara hospital maternity services to see what’s available to help create a comforting space.)
- Make the space your own: We encourage families to personalize their birthing space. Though many options are provided at the hospital, mom and family may want to bring familiar items like blankets, pillows and essential oils.
- Freedom of movement: We recognize that moving around can help labor progress while keeping you more comfortable. Mothers can move around their room and the unit with remote monitoring technology.
- Family-centered care: Loved ones are welcomed as an integral to the birthing process at Sentara hospitals. We welcome supportive loved ones present during labor and birth as long as the expectant parents are comfortable. Siblings and other children are also welcome, fostering inclusion and creating meaningful bonding moments during this special time.
In our modern age and with families often scattered, sometimes another option that works well is using technology such as Facetime to visit with the new baby. And when it’s time for a break, Sentara maternity team members understand.
“You should do what works best for you,” says Patno. “Feel free to blame us for wanting you to get rest and recover if you need an excuse to have some quiet time with your baby!”
- Embracing change when needed: It’s not uncommon to discover that an element of your birth goals doesn’t quite support your needs the way you expected. We understand the importance of flexibility and want to help our laboring moms work through other techniques as needed.
Our goal is to support vaginal deliveries, when possible, but we prioritize the health and safety of both mother and baby. Our team is flexible and ready to handle unexpected changes with expertise and compassion. If a cesarean is necessary, our C-section and recovery rooms are conveniently located in the labor and delivery unit.
- Thoughtful postpartum care for mom and baby: After you’ve given birth, we encourage skin-to-skin contact, whether you deliver via vaginal or cesarean birth. We also delay cord clamping following births. After recovery, the same nurses care for you and your baby, ensuring they know your needs.
We encourage your baby to room in with you, but we have a fully staffed nursery at all of our hospitals when you need to rest. Lactation consultants are available daily and provide one-on-one outpatient consults to assist you and your baby with successful breastfeeding once you've gone home. Partners are also covered with in-room sleep accommodation.
Take maternity tours
Baugher encourages families to schedule a maternity tour at the locations they’re interested in. “Sentara in-person maternity tours are an opportunity to ask specific questions and see what we offer to support your birthing needs,” she says.
Sentara Maternity Services offers more than just a place to give birth. Our labor and delivery teams create a safe space where expectant parents’ birth goals are empowered, families are embraced, and the miracle of childbirth is celebrated with personalized care and unwavering support.
Learn more about Sentara Maternity Services:
By: Amy Sandoval