McLaren Greater Lansing’s labor and delivery unit, The Birthplace, is a proud recipient of the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) platinum quality improvement designation in recognition of Michigan birthing hospitals that are improving care for mothers and babies.
The platinum designation is MI AIM’s highest rating to receive.
The MI AIM works with birthing hospitals to decrease and eliminate maternal mortality and morbidity in Michigan by implementing “safety bundle” plans aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers. They equip the hospital with actionable protocols, necessary equipment, staff education, and staff drills to prevent and adequately treat severe maternal events, such as obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension, and maternal sepsis.
“We are honored to receive the platinum designation, and I am very proud of our nurses, physicians, and support staff who have worked tirelessly to keep the safety of our mothers and their babies as our highest priority,” said Melissa Baird, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, manager of patient care services at The Birthplace at McLaren Greater Lansing.
The Birthplace delivers an average of 1,200 babies a year. With safety and comfort at the forefront, it is equipped with state-of-the-art maternal, fetal, and infant monitoring equipment, and provides a comforting and calming environment for expectant parents with large spacious rooms and private bathrooms equipped with both a bath and shower. The unit has 16 labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum suites, four obstetrical triage rooms, two fully outfitted C-section rooms, and a nursery.
“Surgical suites are located within The Birthplace, so patients are only a few feet away in case an emergency C-section is needed,” said Baird.
24-hour pediatric coverage is also offered, including care by neonatal nurse practitioners through a relationship with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, part of Corewell Health™.
The Birthplace provides expectant parents the opportunity to tour the facility as well as to take a labor support class that include a full range of preparation and techniques for laboring and post-labor care segmented into three parts:
- The labor process: how to know when you are in labor, when to come to the hospital, and caring for yourself during the last weeks of pregnancy.
- Hospital admission process, labor positioning, comfort techniques, and pain control.
- Delivery and postpartum care, including reviewing instructions on what moms can expect in the postpartum period, normal versus abnormal newborn findings, and warning signs for mom and baby.
“This is a one-day course led by an experienced nurse educator and gives an exclusive perspective where patients learn more about the birthing process at McLaren along with a tour of the facility that will better prepare them for the big day,” said Baird.
For more information about The Birthplace at McLaren Greater Lansing or to see a virtual tour, click here.
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