As a first-time expectant mother, Lauren Trapp thought she would have a few more weeks to prepare for the birth of her daughter.
That all changed, she said, when a routine prenatal visit showed the baby’s growth was irregular, and the doctor recommended inducing labor to deliver her three weeks ahead of Trapp’s due date.
“The doctor felt she would be better taken care of out here,” Trapp said. “She said there would be a better chance of avoiding an emergency C-section.”
The procedure was scheduled for the next day at The Baby Place, AdventHealth Gordon’s state-of-the-art birthing center.
“I got 24-hours’ notice we were going to be induced,” Trapp said. “We painted the nursery that night and put together the dresser.”
At 5 am on January 7, the 30-year-old Calhoun resident and her husband, Alfred, checked into The Baby Place and readied themselves to welcome the newest member to their family. Once she was settled into their birthing suite, Trapp received labor-inducing medications.
“Most of the afternoon, I was doing walks down the hall,” she said. “I was scared to have a baby; I was worried about the pain.”
But friends and family had praised the care they had received at The Baby Place.
“They said, ‘You have to go to The Baby Place and have your baby there for the nursing care alone. They take such good care of you,’” Trapp said. “They kept raving about the nursing team.”
Trapp’s birthing experience exceeded the acclamation.
“They deserve all the praise,” she said. “It was just a million times different than how I thought it would be — in the best way.”
A healthy Sloane Ruby arrived without incident at 3:41 am the next day, weighing 5-pounds, 11-ounces and measuring 19 inches.
Reatha Clary, director of The Baby Place, said Sloane is one of roughly 500 babies born annually at The Baby Place, which relocated to the third floor of the hospital’s North Tower in September 2019.
“We have gone up in the last two years,” Clary said. “In 2021, we delivered 509, and last year, we had 539.”
The facility, staffed by two physicians who are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, 32 nurses, six board-certified OB hospitalists and patient care technicians, provides 10 private birthing suites outfitted with the latest technologies, such as wireless fetal monitoring and infant warmers and spa-grade comforts of home.
“We are a provider of really family-centered care,” Clary said. “We have opened up our visitation, so we allow siblings to visit and family members to come in and be part of the experience.”
The suites have dedicated in-room equipment, allowing for streamlined care delivery from the moment the patient checks into the center until she is discharged.
“The same nurses are providing care during labor, delivery, recovery/postpartum and couplet care,” Clary said. “That continuum of care is just vital with new moms.”
Trapp said the familiar faces throughout the experience eased her mind and contributed to her comfort as the nurses kept the mood light and anticipated her every need.
“I never had to want for anything or need for anything while we were in there,” she said. “The nurses all became like friends to me in there. I formed such a connection with them.”
She also said her obstetrician, Joy Nwadike, MD, who is also trained in robotic-assisted gynecological surgeries and sees patients through AdventHealth Medical Group OB/GYN at Curtis Parkway, took time to answer questions during prenatal visits and prioritized the health of her and her baby every step of the way.
“She was amazing,” Trapp said.
In the weeks leading up to her due date, Trapp said she had peace of mind knowing The Baby Place was only a five-minute drive from her home.
The birthing center has four triage rooms, a dedicated surgical suite for caesarian section deliveries and is moving forward with plans to add emergency mother and baby care to its in-house services. A new electronic medical records system also allows physicians and staff to quickly access a patient’s prenatal care notes and medical history.
“They have all their data from the office visits to be able to make the best decisions for their patients,” Clary said. “It makes the health care more portable.”
The Baby Place provides free prenatal education classes and lactation consultants to help patients become comfortable with breastfeeding. During classes, parents will learn what to expect before, during and after birth to build their confidence. This can make a substantial difference in one’s birthing experience. Classes are a good opportunity to be with other moms, make new friends and learn about the various stages of breastfeeding.
The Baby Place has also created an OB hospitalist program to ensure an experienced OB hospitalist is onsite 24-hours-a-day to provide consistent, comprehensive care.
“We have happy team members,” Clary said. “Our patient satisfaction is high. We have a beautiful facility with nice amenities, and we’re able to provide any care patients might need. Adding the OB hospitalists has given us that extra layer of safety to provide the best care we can and the flexibility of having a physician here at all times.”
When Trapp saw Dr. Nwadike for her six-week postnatal visit, she thanked her for everything she did to ensure a positive birthing experience.
“She said, ‘Don’t thank me. Thank God and the nurses. You make sure the nurses know that,’” she said.
Trapp said she now counts herself among The Baby Place’s fan base who raves about the care she received there.
“I tell everyone it was truly the best experience of my life,” she said.
Visit GeorgiaOBExperts.com or call
Call866-613-6741 to learn more about The Baby Place at AdventHealth Gordon.
