What to Expect When Giving Birth at Princeton Baptist Medical Center

Many expectant mothers carefully choose a provider to help them give birth to the newest additions into their families. The consideration of where to give birth is also an essential part of that choice. When the time comes to make those all-too important decisions, there are several different aspects to consider including C-section rates, pre-natal education offerings, ease of appointment scheduling, amenities and more.

For some moms, a facility’s support of low birth intervention is the key driver in the final decision. For Birmingham-area mothers, the hunt for such a facility is over.

The team at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in downtown Birmingham is skilled to help facilitate low-intervention birth experiences for their patients. This approach is also a great option for mothers who choose to receive an epidural for pain relief, but overall want few interventions. Princeton is one of the few hospitals in the state of Alabama to offer women the option of utilizing a certified nurse mid-wife as they welcome their new bundles of joy into the world.

The program is also a great option for women who want to have an epidural but overall want fewer interventions.

To date, Hamilton Yarbrough, one of Princeton’s experienced nurse-midwives, has attended the birth of 99 babies. “I have been in a lot of hospitals around the southeast as a nurse, student midwife and now a nurse-midwife,” Hamilton says. “Based on what I’ve seen, I believe that [Princeton] has the absolute best nurses. And when you combine that with, the team’s support of low intervention birth, it is truly an incredible experience for the mother.”

Women giving birth at Princeton can expect:

• Intermittent monitoring for low risk moms in labor. This approach has been shown to decrease rates of cesareans births while still maintaining safety. There are monitoring guidelines by AWHON (Association of Women's Health and Neonatal Nurses) and ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology), which shape Princeton’s approach and allows women to move freely and labor in the water, both of which significantly help with labor pains. Moving and giving birth in different positions not only helps mom cope with pain better, but it also helps reduce tearing associated with birth.
• Nursing care for the whole woman. The nursing staff at Princeton care not only for mom’s physical health, but for their emotional and mental health too.
  
  “Several of our mothers tell us they have been scared or had bad experiences in the past where they were ignored or belittled,” Hamilton reports. “Our nurses erase that fear with their kindness the second our mothers walk in the door. Our nurses always explain hospital policies so that they understand the reason behind the safety measures.”
• A stress reducing, peaceful environment. The team at Princeton is dedicated to creating a relaxing environment that reduces stress and anxiety for mothers and families. Princeton takes special care to ensure mothers are at peace when welcoming their child into the world. Aroma therapy, speaking in soothing tones, dimming the lights, strands of twinkle lights and battery operated candles surrounding labor tubs are just a few of the ways that the mothers find peace when welcoming their child into the world.
  
  “At the end of the day” Hamilton says, “Princeton does an amazing job at creating an environment where moms and families feel safe and comfortable. If your goal is a low intervention birth with access to emergent care if necessary, then Princeton is definitely the right place to be.”