Angela’s success story
"It put my mind at ease" — Angela
Angela knew in advance that she would be delivering her baby via a Cesarean section birth and wanted to be prepared. "To prepare for the delivery of my baby, I took a tour of The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. During the tour, I learned about what the schedule would be like for our big day, starting with the check-in, all the way through to recovery. It put my mind at ease, and it was one less thing for me to worry about," says–Angela.
She toured The Birthplace and was able to experience the relaxing environment and see the recent renovations firsthand. During the tour, Angela learned more about the medical team that would be caring for her and her baby and was able to ask any questions that came to mind.
To be even more prepared, Angela signed up for the medical center’s complimentary online weekly e-newsletter for parents. "This e-newsletter is filled with helpful information and tips for expectant parents. Plus I really like the fact that you can ask a question and receive a timely response via e-mail," she says.
Lisa’s success story
After more than two years of trying to have a baby and just 30 minutes before the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Lisa gave birth to Oscar at The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. While holding a beautiful newborn in her arms, Lisa and her husband watched television footage of the tragic bridge collapse.
During delivery, baby Oscar’s shoulder got caught on his mother’s pelvis, pressing his chest which made it difficult for him to breathe. Located just down the hall from The Birthplace, The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team was immediately available to provide Oscar with treatment that quickly allowed him to be returned to his mother. All specialists and staff at University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview are trained to provide neonates with the proper treatment if needed, during a delivery,
Because of the community emergency and traffic congestion, Oscar had to wait until the next day to meet the rest of his family. "Reflecting back, it was okay, because The Birthplace staff made us feel comfortable, cared for, and not alone," says Lisa. "I would highly recommend University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.
The medical center offers many services and amenities, accommodating all types of delivery; involvement of a Professional Certified Midwife, a registered nurse who has completed an advanced course of study and provides care to women during pregnancy and through labor and delivery, and doulas, experienced labor companions who provide continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth; comfort measures like bathrooms equipped with bathtubs, portable telemetry monitoring used to measure a baby's heart rate and contraction pattern, but allows the mother who requires continuous monitoring to walk around during labor, and birthing balls; breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact is promoted as soon as possible, after birth; lactation assistance; and state of the art medical necessities, like the NICU team, if needed.
