An Insider’s Guide to Birth at…
IU Arnett Hospital
IU Arnett Hospital
In my doula career I have supported
birth in a variety of facilities. That
said, I most often find myself at IU Arnett Hospital in my role of doula. My personal experience also includes the
three deliveries of my own children. I
also volunteer as a leader for the breastfeeding support group.
IU Arnett is
located at 5165 McCarty Lane, Lafayette, IN 47905. The hospital is known for their birthing
tubs, midwives, specialists in obstetrics, and their Riley NICU.
Checking
In
When it is time to head to the hospital
for delivery, especially after regular office hours, moms are directed to check
in at the Emergency Department Desk.
Once checked in and paperwork signed, a nurse from the Labor and Delivery
will come down and meet you and escort you upstairs. A wheelchair will be offered, but many moms
prefer to walk instead of sitting while in labor. A quick trip upstairs to the third floor will
bring you to one of the seven labor and delivery rooms.
The labor and delivery rooms are among
the most spacious that I have seen.
There is plenty of room to move about in labor. A full couch that folds out to a bed along
with a reclining rocker are in the room.
The bathrooms have walk-in showers with adjustable handled sprayers,
great for directing spray on sore backs or tender bellies. Also enough space for partner support if
desired.
If you come to the hospital for
observation, not quite sure you are in labor, or if your water has broken you
may begin in one of the four triage rooms.
The rooms have all the same amenities as the L&D rooms but with less
square footage.
After being checked in, you have the
option to change into a hospital gown or stay in your own clothing. Your care provider will want some initial
monitoring of baby’s heartbeat and your contraction patterns. This is typically for a continuous 20 minute
strip. Wireless monitors are available
upon request. These are waterproof and
are great for mobility and using the tub and shower. Birthing Balls and Peanuts are available upon
request. The hallway has railings which are
great to hold onto during contractions while walking the halls.
The nursing staff are very helpful and
responsive to patient requests. They
work 12 hour shifts so the continuity of care is a great plus. If their shift ends before baby is born, many
nurses have taken time at their next shift to follow up with the mother and
baby. The hardworking nurses have
greatly appreciated when patients bring snacks to share at the nursing station.
If you choose the midwifery model of
care, you will find your midwife more present during your labor. Low risk mothers are encouraged to eat and
drink in labor. Water birth in inflatable
birthing tubs are also an option for midwife patients.
The OBs also bring decades of
experience. The doctors listen to the
mothers and exercise a measure of patience in birth. When birth varies from its normal course, as
birth sometimes does, they are right there with the skills to support the goal
of a healthy mom and baby.
The hospital is familiar with baby
friendly practices such as delayed cord clamping, skin to skin with the mother
after birth, and waiting at least eight hours before baby’s first bath. The goal is to get baby to the breast within
the first hour after birth, if the mother choses to breastfeed.
Once baby is delivered and mom is
recovering, you will be moved over to the Mother and Baby wing next door on the
third floor. Postpartum rooms are the
same layout as the triage rooms, but with a typical hospital bed. Parents can direct to the nursing staff who
they do and don’t want to visit. A
family room is available as well. Three
lBCLCs are on staff and visit mothers requesting additional lactation support. A weekly breastfeeding support group meets on
Thursdays from 10-11:15 in the classroom on the third floor.
No
place would I rather be…
IU Arnett Hospital a great place for
birth, offering many options for the expectant mother. Be it a natural delivery or need of skilled
care during a cesarean delivery; quality of care is provided. Even though I have seen other places to
birth, for me IU Arnett feels like home.
Hi, every day I visit a number of blog sites but I'm very happy to read your post Thanks for sharing the informative blog post about water birth home NH. The Birth Cottage offers full prenatal and postpartum Pregnancy Care in a warm, family-friendly environment.
ReplyDelete