| rev:text
| - My wife and I recently had our first child, and we consider ourselves lucky to have been able to use Lakewood Hospital for our birthing location.
From admittance at 3am to our release a few days later, it was very apparent to us how much each and every member of their medical staff cared for the well being of my wife, my child, and even for me - the mere Dad in the room.
We tried to do an all-natural labor at first, and the birthing center had everything we could ask for. Birthing balls, warm showers, rocking chairs, and even a water birth tub if we had been so inclined.
While my wife's labor was progressing smoothly they never tried to push us on other methods (inducement, epidurals, etc).
When complications arose and delivery started to become difficult they calmly and rationally discussed options (pitocin, epidural) - and later when even those methods proved ineffective and we had to proceed with a C-section the entire staff took the time to talk with my wife and reassure her as to why we had to proceed that way, and that it was the best choice.
The follow-up care over the next few days was fantastic. The nursing staff was as unobtrusive as possible, and really took the time to stop and talk with us when we had questions or concerns.
Hospitals can be stressful places. From this trip to the birthing center, to a trip to ER I had to make a few years ago, Lakewood Hospital may not be perfect, but they try really hard, and they do their best to keep their patients relaxed, informed, and feeling comfortable.
It's nice to have such a resource in the community.
|