Texas Health Allen

® 612 E. lamar Boulevard, Suite 1500 Arlington, Texas 76011 TexasHealth.org Texas Health is published by Texas Health Resources. This information is intended to educate about subjects pertinent to health, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. For a source listing on a specific article in this issue, please contact 1-877-THR-WELL. ©2012 Texas Health Resources. [ A Labor of Love Bringing a new baby into the world is a beautiful experience that is memorable for the entire family. At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen, a full range of obstetric services and amenities help make the birth process healthy and comfortable for mom and baby. At The Family Birthplace at Texas Health Allen, expectant families can feel at home amidst a relaxed atmosphere and staff specially trained in helping with delivery, recovery and support after the birth. The Family Birthplace delivers as many as 120 babies every month, and the state-of- the-art facility is ready for any need mother, baby or family members may have. After labor, mothers and their families can recover in the same room and spend valuable time bonding with their families newest additions. Each labor, delivery and recovery suite has a full-sized bathroom, a sleeper chair for overnight guests and free Internet access. Guests are permitted to visit anytime at the parents' convenience. If infants are in need of specialized care after birth, The Family Birthplace also offers support through the Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Babies in the NICU are supported by a neonatologist and neonatal nurse practitioners. A NETwORk Of SuPPORT After their babies are born, mothers can feel at ease at The Family Birthplace and focus on relaxing and bonding with their newborns. As the first hospital in Texas to be recognized as a Baby- Friendly Hospital, Texas Health Allen also offers lactation consultations and support in the hospital and at home. New mothers can feel pampered with a Jacuzzi tub, top-ranked meals and items such as Lindsay Phillips™ sandals and baby gifts for the little one, from the two available gift shops. "The Family Birthplace is a home-like atmosphere for families expecting a new baby," says Jane Cook, M.S.N., R.N., NEA-BC Texas Health Allen. "For expectant parents who want to see The Family Birthplace for themselves, we offer group tours the second and fourth Sundays of the month and private tours at any time." Take a look inside The Family Birthplace from your own home with a virtual tour at TexasHealth.org/AllenMoms. Building the Bond With Baby Breastfeeding has been shown to boost the bond between mother and baby while offering baby the valuable nutrients, proteins and antibodies he or she needs to grow healthfully. In helping new mothers and their babies during this process, The Family Birthplace at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen was the first hospital in Texas certified as a Baby- Friendly facility. Baby-Friendly, a designation created by the World Health Organization and the United Nations' Children's Fund, recognizes facilities that empower mothers and babies during breastfeeding. To receive this designation, Texas Health Allen met required service standards, including: • allowing babies to stay with mothers at all times • creating a written breastfeeding policy for health care staff • educating women about the benefits of breastfeeding • facilitating breastfeeding within one hour of a baby's birth • implementing special training for staff • providing support for women breastfeeding Pregnant? Sign up for the FREE Oh Baby! Weekly Parenting Email at TexasHealth.org/OhBaby. "We will provide and maintain a fair and equitable environment for all by valuing and respecting individual differences for our enrichment and that of the communities we serve." –— Texas Health Resources Diversity Statement

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