Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/750495
3 8 | PULSE Fa l l 2 0 1 6 T he moments when my boys were born were surreal. Hearing their cries and seeing their eyes and little faces for the first time was beautiful and awe-inspiring. And yet, the birth experience was also a bit like standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. It didn't quite seem real. Yes, I knew I was having a baby. Both times felt this way. And both pregnancies were welcomed, planned, celebrated. As a former pregnancy editor, I had also read so much research and felt ready. Until I didn't. Immediately aer their births, aer the joy settled in, hormones began to rage. I was emotional. I was in a lot of pain. And I became suddenly more vulnerable than any other time of my life. e jolt of not being able to take care of myself and heal physically and emotionally—before having to immediately take care of a helpless, needy being—was hard to grasp. And with my second, the pressure to still give attention to my other son, while also focusing on helping my newborn to latch and allow my breast milk to come in, to bond, and to be mindful of what I needed to do—or not overdo—in order to heal from cesarean surgery, was stressful. My story isn't isolated, although few new moms want to share how hard it is for fear of sounding ungrateful for the gi of a child. Yet I've heard from so many new moms over the years through my writing in the pregnancy and parenting field, as well as being a prenatal yoga teacher. New mothers are stressed, sleep- deprived and overburdened. Many deal with dynamics not oen addressed within a hospital setting , including financial worries, overly insistent family involvement or a partner who has to immediately go back to work. We all know stress has an enormous impact on a person's health. In fact, most physicians claim that chronic stress is the main trigger for preterm labor (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy with increased risk for health problems). Studies have been conducted linking high levels of stress with breastfeeding problems and an increased risk for postpartum depression as well. at's why it's imperative that new moms be in an environment that is not only sensitive and compassionate—but also offers every possible amenity to support their health, as much as their baby's. HAPPY MOTHER, HAPPY BABY With that goal in mind, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is creating a new Mother/Baby unit focused on the needs of the mother. Every aspect of this new facility, slated to open in late October, is geared toward lowering a mom's stress and fostering a peaceful, healthy start to motherhood. For starters, each room will be 30% larger than the current rooms for new moms at Torrance Memorial—allowing mom, newborn(s), partner and siblings to be together. "We are moving from an older 28-room unit, to a unit with 25 rooms that are much larger, more comfortable and more accommodating," says Mary Wright, RN, director of the maternal child services & nurse staffing office. "When I first started, babies went to nursery and mom would have to go to nursery to feed her ... ey probably felt like they were in a fishbowl. It's so much better to have mom in the room with her baby. It's private. It supports bonding. And we even conduct cardiac screenings, hearing screens and jaundice testing right there in the privacy of her room, which can actually accommodate two bassinets if she has twins," Wright continues. "I'm thrilled about the additional space of the new maternity ward," says Deepjot K. Singh, MD, chief of obstetrics and g ynecolog y. "Family bonding is crucial and we now have the space to facilitate that." e new unit isn't just about bigger rooms that allow for more privacy and comfort. Everything within this new unit reflects and supports a new mother's health. is unit, which has been planned for nearly seven years, incorporates suggestions from physicians, nurses—and former patients. Hospital executives listened to the needs of patients in order to create products such as soer, wider gowns, as well as a period of daily silence when nurses and physicians are not encouraged to enter a new mother's room (unless necessary or called), to allow her a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. PATIENTS HAVE THE POWER Mary Matson, MHA, CAVS, Director of Service Excellence for Torrance Memorial manages a volunteer services department, as well as coordinates patient experience efforts. "We listened to the voices of patients over the years to help with the design and product implementation," Matson says. In fact, last October a group of patient and family advisors (aka PFAs—former patients and family members of past patients) were called to test out new gowns. "We use them [advisors] on an as-needed basis. When we need the patient's voice, we reach out to them. Two had their babies here at the hospital or had children treated in the pediatric unit," Matson explains. Aer feeling the fabric and trying on different gowns, the advisors weighed in. e result? All patients at the hospital (not just new moms) will benefit from larger, soer, more versatile gowns that fit patient as well as physician and provider needs. ese same PFAs reviewed a new Labor & Delivery/Mother-Baby visiting guidelines brochure. eir feedback resulted in changes that made the brochure more user-friendly for our patients and visitors. "When you ask your patients, they can help you out a lot," adds Leah Romine, BSN, RNC- OB, PHN, Torrance Memorial nurse manager, labor and delivery and mother/baby. Over the years Romine has paid attention to what new moms need most and says she is beyond delighted to be able to welcome them into a space that will foster such care. "Our goal is to provide outstanding family- centered care and we want to keep the family as a unit, and their first experiences together and bonding and getting to know each other is really important to us," Romine says. AND THERE'S MORE So what are the other perks to be found within the new Mother/Baby Unit? Lactation consultants are on the floor, available every day of the week. ere's no limitations on who can visit you—so children, family and friends are all allowed to see mom and baby, as long as mom approves. And how about a snack room with healthy nibbles and juices for family members, open 24 hours a day? Another treat is literally a treat: