Keeping Moms and Babies Safe During the Pandemic
4/5/2021
Hospital welcomed a thousand newborns in 2020 and is prepared to deliver more this year
Lufkin Texas – The delivery of babies has been a happy event for the labor and delivery team at Woodland Heights over the past year. Hundreds of infants have taken their first breath at the hospital and been a welcome sight in the midst of the global pandemic.
While the virus has changed many things in the world – the hospital’s childbirth center and nursery are a pleasant constant, located in a separate, enclosed area to provide specialized care and services. A dedicated team of nurses and obstetricians work exclusively with the moms and babies through delivery and post-partum care.
“It is an honor to care for the moms and babies who are counting on us during such a joyous time,” said Brian Drake, M.D., local obstetrician/gynecologist. “The care and experience at Woodland Heights are exceptional and I am proud to be part of that team.”
Pre-natal care remains critical and women are encouraged to stay in contact with their obstetrician and keep their appointments to be sure their pregnancy is on track. And once baby is here, regular visits to the pediatrician are important to help them thrive.
The hospital and physician clinics keep the safety of their patients as the top priority. Many actions have been taken to enhance infection prevention and support social distancing to maintain a safe environment during the pandemic.
When an expectant mom arrives at the hospital, she goes to the Main Entrance (Gaslight Blvd.) where staff will check her temperature and she will complete a screening questionnaire. Moms can have one to two guests who stay with them in their room throughout their stay and cannot go in and out; the individual will be screened upon entry and wear a mask at all times.
“Patient safety is the number one priority for our team,” said Dr. Drake. “We give each patient the personalized care we would want our loved ones to have.”
Labor and delivery proceed as they always have and most adjacent procedures remain available. Tubal ligation after delivery is an option if a mother is negative for COVID-19 and circumcisions can also be performed. Breastfeeding is encouraged, even for moms who test positive for COVID-19 and can protect their infant by wearing a mask. We employ a Certified Lactation Counselor that assists our patients with breastfeeding. Prior to delivery, we offer prepared childbirth classes and infant feeding classes.
If your baby needs more advanced medical care, our Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is available. Our skilled team of neonatologists, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists and neonatal nurse practitioners are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide exceptional care to our NICU babies.
For information on the Childbirth Center and classes offered at Woodland Heights, visit WoodlandHeights.net. If you need help finding an obstetrician, pediatrician or another physician, visit the “Find a Doctor” link at the top of the page.
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