It’s the little things that deliver big smiles
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life – and at the BirthPlace in our Niles and St. Joseph hospitals, we want to make it a healthy time. Our family of obstetric and pediatric physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, midwives, and lactation consultant strive to continuously provide our moms, babies, and families a safe, nationally-recognized, and high-quality experience.
Some of the little things that make the BirthPlace a special space for you a baby:
- Access to pediatric specialists 24/7
- Experienced and loving health care professionals
- Intimate family-centered birthing suites
- Newly renovated rooms
- Online nursery for friends and family who can’t be present
- Daily serenity hours
- Continued support throughout your delivery until you depart home
- Ongoing new parent education
Your baby's safety is at the heart of what we do.
Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital proudly earned a platinum designation for maternal care from the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM). Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph also earned gold level designation, the second highest ranking.
MI AIM works with birthing hospitals to reduce and eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity. Hospitals implement structured “safety bundle” plans to improve health outcomes for mothers to combat the leading causes of maternal mortality such as obstetric hemorrhage and severe hypertension. Safety bundle plans help hospitals by defining actionable protocols, education, equipment, and drills to prevent and treat serious maternal events. Learn more.
The Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM), a nonprofit group comprised of Michigan’s largest employers and unions, has awarded Lakeland Hospitals with the 2022 Maternity Care Excellence Award for demonstrated excellence in maternity care and delivery outcome. The Niles Hospital received this award a third year in a row.
The awards are part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to decrease the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections, and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.
Sep 9, 2015 Reporting from Niles, MI
Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/pregnancy-care/birthplace/Detail/connecting-in-a-new-place/?utm_source=Connecting_in_a_New_Place&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Sep 9, 2015
Sep 9, 2015
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
New to the area, Jenny Ryan was nervous about choosing a medical provider to care for her and her baby through pregnancy and delivery. In the past, Jenny had a personable and comfortable connection with the clinician who delivered her two boys. She w
Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan
Sep, 2015
Physicians: Bobbi Brown, CNM
New to the area, Jenny Ryan was nervous about choosing a medical provider to care for her and her baby through pregnancy and delivery. In the past, Jenny had a personable and comfortable connection with the clinician who delivered her two boys. She worried about being shuffled between doctors at a large practice or failing to connect with someone new.
With the advice of her friends, Jenny decided to give BellaNova Women's Health in St. Joseph a try. In Tennessee, she was used to a small practice, composed of only one doctor and one nurse. Here, Jenny felt overwhelmed by all of the attention.
"At first I wondered if it would be the right choice for me," said Jenny. "But then I met the BellaNova team and we had a great connection. They made it feel intimate and made me feel cared for."
Throughout her pregnancy, Jenny was repeatedly put at ease by the friendly, personal care she received at BellaNova.
"The practice made me feel welcome in a new place," said Jenny. "The staff all knew who I was and my history. We never did try anywhere else; I knew BellaNova and Dr. Conklin were right for me."
On the day Jenny went into labor, she walked from home to the BirthPlace at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Jenny didn't realize she was leaking fluids, and that her labor and delivery would have to progress quicker than originally planned. She would have to have a natural birth without pain medication or an epidural. Fortunately, one of BellaNova's midwives, Bobbi Brown, CNM, FNP, was on-call.
"I absolutely loved Bobbi," said Jenny. "She was incredible. There was no way I could have done a natural birth without her."
Bobbi and the obstetrics staff stayed with Jenny through her labor, providing continuous support and reassurance.
"They were all very encouraging–I was scared, but they told me to focus and that I could do this, which is exactly what I needed," said Jenny.
Forty-five minutes after her water broke, Jenny welcomed daughter Emery into the world.
Throughout her three-day stay at the BirthPlace in St. Joseph, Jenny felt the personal care and compassion the staff had for their jobs.
"Emery had to be in the nursery to receive antibiotics, at the same time, I didn't want my baby to be away from me for long. The nursery staff explained everything and were great about telling me when I'd get her back, and why they were doing what they were doing," said Jenny. "Everyone came and left with a smile; they all seemed like they wanted to be there and help however they could."
All in all, Jenny had a great experience with BellaNova Women's Health.
"BellaNova was always willing to do what I needed done; they made it personal for me," said Jenny.