There are as many different ideas about giving birth as there are mothers — we all have specific hopes and dreams for the way our children will come into this world. In Champaign-Urbana, we’re lucky to have a lot of options — and support — for expecting moms.
The new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum Unit at Carle Foundation Hospital is a great example of how our local medical providers are striving to offer a wide variety services for birthing mothers.
We asked Pamela Smith, RN, BSN, about how the LDRP is different from other labor and delivery units, and what moms who give birth there can expect.
Chambanamoms: Tell us a little bit about the evolution of the LDRP unit. How did it come to be?
Pam Smith: Several years ago, Carle’s Labor and Delivery unit moved from the Parkview Building to its new space in the North Tower. Within a few weeks of the move, the unit seemed constantly full and we realized we could run into a situation where we didn’t have enough rooms for our patients. It was clear we needed more space, and the idea of opening a separate unit for low-risk moms was born.
Chambanamoms: What makes the LDRP unit different from the other L&D areas?
PS: LDRP stands for “Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum.” On our LDRP unit, patients remain in the same room throughout their stay. Because the LDRP patient population is low-risk, in most cases patients have the opportunity for a less interventional birth experience. Even though labor management options like epidurals and IV pain medication are available, moms who choose to deliver on our LDRP are more likely to utilize the Jacuzzis in the rooms and adapt the environment to be relaxing for them, such as with lights or music. The end result is a labor and delivery experience that’s truly dictated by the patient.
In addition, our LDRP is a family-centered unit where babies can remain with their moms at all times. Parents and siblings are encouraged to participate in the care of mom and baby. The pediatrician conducts the newborn exam at the bedside, and newborn screening tests can also be done in the room. We have no restrictions on visitors, which allows for moms to have the support of whichever friends and family members they choose. Finally, we have lower patient to nurse ratios than on our sister labor and delivery and postpartum units, which allows for the nurse to spend more time with her patients and their families.
Chambanamoms: What can moms-to-be expect when they’re patients in LDRP unit?
PS: They can expect excellent nursing that is are passionate about labor and delivery, high quality care with a focus on education and safety, and a one-on-one experience with their providers and RNs. Patients and families in the LDRP are active participants in their care. Their labor and delivery isn’t something that’s just happening to them, it’s a process that they’re a part of.
Moms-to-be can also expect a lot of individualized attention. The unit is small and quiet, which means the nurses are only ever a few footsteps away. All options for pain relief during labor are available on this unit—non-medicinal techniques like the shower, tub, or birthing ball, as well as IV pain medications and epidural analgesia. After delivery moms can expect breastfeeding support, new parent education, and a relaxed atmosphere with lots of time for bonding between families and their newborns.
Lower nurse-patient ratios and a focus on family-centered care allow moms on the LDRP to have more control of the care they receive postpartum as well. Nurses can perform assessments and tasks on a schedule she and mom come up with together, one that allows for breastfeeding, napping, and spending time with family.
Chambanamoms: Who qualifies to give birth in the LDRP unit?
PS: The LDRP is designated as a low-risk birthing unit. At this time, eligible patients must have already had one vaginal delivery and currently have an uncomplicated pregnancy. They must also discuss their desire to deliver on the LDRP during their prenatal visits, and have an approval signed by their delivery provider. All laboring women will be triaged on the main labor and delivery unit to ensure that it’s safe for both mom and baby to deliver on the LDRP.
Chambanamoms: Are you seeing a trend toward this kind of birthing center across the nation, or is Carle a leader in this area?
There is a trend throughout nursing toward keeping patients informed and involved in their care process. The LDRP and birth center model are perfect catalysts for this. And while more and more birth centers are popping up throughout the nation, Illinois has only recently passed a law that allows for freestanding birth centers. So this type of labor and delivery unit, a low-risk unit with a birthing center feel on the same campus as a high-risk labor and delivery unit, is unique in Champaign-Urbana.
Chambanamoms: Are there any other birthing centers like this in Illinois?
PS: There’s not a freestanding birth center open in Illinois, although there are many hospitals that have separate women and children’s centers. But these centers aren’t necessarily geared toward low-risk patients. The LDRP is.
Chambanamoms: Why do you feel the LDRP unit will resonate with Champaign-Urbana patients?
PS: There are more and more women and families in this area looking for a less-hospital oriented birth experience. The LDRP offers the safety of a hospital (nurses, doctors, and operating rooms should the need arise) in a unit that more closely mimics the home environment.
Thank you to chambanamoms.com partner, Carle Foundation Hospital, for sponsoring this post. Look for more stories and information about giving birth at Carle Hospital over the next few months. For more information about giving birth at Carle , please visit All About Baby.