Improving the Birth Experience

Among the women who gave birth here this year were two roommates who became friends and named themselves the Week sisters. When they got home, they decided having a baby at BTMH was “a piece of cake” and conveyed their sentiments via the culinary delight pictured here. , The thank you note was in a unique form, but the thought is repeated often because a lot of beautiful things happen in the Burdette maternity department. That has •always been true, but now with new facilities and new ideas, experiences are even more positive. t NEW FACILITIES The physical environment is modern^nd pleasant. The suite was new just three years ago. It contains five semiprivate rooms, .three labor rooms, a new birthing room, traditional delivery room and provision for performing cesarean sections in the maternity suite rather than in the regular operating room. There is a large nursery containing 12 new infant cribs and a separate nursery for babies with special problems. There is a treatment room, solarium, and father’s waiting room. Women who had their babies here before 1980 would be impressed to see those physical changes, but changes in philosophy are part of the progress too. NEW’ IDEAS In recent years, many women have become actively involved in an effort to improve the quality of their birth experiences. The concern has been to maintain a safe environment, but also to provide a more family-centered approach to the birth of the baby. The hospital has been listening and responding. Leaders of the Childbirth and Parent Education Association (CAPE) and later the Renaissance group spearheaded the efforts to bring about changes. Many of their suggestions have already been acted upon and other changes are in the planning stages. ''' TheBirthing Room, which opened this November, offers the advantages of a birthing bed for labor and delivery in the same area, a room with a home-like atmosphere rather than a sterile hospital look. The philosophy that underlies the change is that for most women, birth is a well experience and should be carried out in the

Melvin Hankin, M.D. Robert T. Miller, M.D.

most relaxed and supportive atmosphere possible, 'with the mother’s wishes predominating. ' Other changes that have taken place in support of the ideal include the offering of childbirth preparation classes for mothers and fathers, prenatal and postpartum exercise programs for mothers, provisions for sibling visitation and rooming-in for mothers who wish to have their babies closeby. c Fathers are encouraged to share the birthing experience both during normal deliveries and cesarean births. PlaiK for the near future include sibling preparatiori classes. 24-hour-a-day ' visitation for fathers, and encouragement of a second support person to be present during labor and birth. Less routine use of mechanical intervention during the early stages of labor is also being discussed. A rochure describing the various options for cereus in the planning stages. .. ? * V Safety of mother and child is still the uppermost concern, but it isheing affirmed that most families can enjoy a more satisfying birth experience without compromising quality care. TEACHING PROGRAM Another recent development is a teaching program instituted by Burdette nurses who now regularly instruct new mothers in child care. Most mothers report their efforts a help in building knowledge and confidence, « COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Protecting maternal and child health is a concern for the whole community. At Burdette, a clinic program serves those eligible. Efforts there are supported by various social service agencies A Perinatal Advisory and Maternity Committee coordinates and monitors maternal and child health services in Cape May County. RepresenUtives of approximately 15 agencies, including the hospital, meet at BTMH monthly to work together toward that goal. The hospital also is a member of the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, a non-profit network of 15 hospitals cooperating to improve maternal and child care

Lawrence J. Macatee, M.D.

4

Bruce Noll, M.D.

Melvin Honkins, M.D.. joined the «toff in 1965 and has served as chief of obstetrics and gynecology since 1975. Through the years, he feels, two special and constant factors have contributed to superior maternal core at Burdette. "Most important, excellent outcome of care for both mothers and babies is a matter of record." he soys. Next he credits dedicated and professional nursing staff. ’They really core and it shows." Dr. Hankin is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia. He completed four years of specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology at Albert Einstein Medical College in Philadelphia.

Robert T. Miller. M.D.. is the physician in charge of the hospital maternity clinic which served well over 200 individuals last year. He has been with BTMH for two and a half years. ** Continuity of core is a benefit of his regular djnic involvement. "The clients appreciate it. and I. too. find it a real advantage." he soys. "When a problem ^prises. I con follow it through and deliver the baby with fuller knowledge of all the factors involved." Dr. Miller, who also has a private practice, received his medical education at the George Washington University of Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine and Groce - New Haven Hospital. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology.

Lawrence J. Macatee. M.D.. has been with BTMH since 1975. ‘When I came." he soys, "there were just two patient rooms with four beds each and one with two beds. There was one labor .room and one delivery room." "It's been very satisfying to see this deportment grow to a modern facility able to provide the full range of clinical services available at any Level One Perinatal'Center." Dr. Macatee was educated at Temple University School of Medicine and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. He served as clinical instructor .in obstetrics and gynecology on the faculty of Jefferson Medical College. Philodeiphto. for ten years.

Bruce Noll. M.D.. joined the OB-GYN staff in 1980. He is associated in practice with Dr. Macatee. This deportment's move toward more family-centered core it producing some vely positive results." he soys. ‘We plan to continue to develop the kind of service that improves the quality of the birth experience for all concerned." Dr. Noll received his medical education at the University of Guodolojora. Mexico. He received his post-gfoduote training in OBGYN at Hahnemann. Philadelphia, and Jersey Shore Medical Center. Neptune Dr. Noll is board eligible.