Are you looking for a labor and delivery hospital to meet your needs? Thornton's North Suburban Medical Center, located just 15 minutes north of the Shops at Northfield, would like to introduce themselves to our Stapleton Moms readers:

Meet North Suburban Medical Center

Expecting moms-to-be at North Suburban Medical Center are often repeat customers. Deciding on the best hospital to have your baby is a big decision, which is why many women birthing their first (or second, or third) child choose North Suburban. With the highest quality scores in the North Denver area, North Suburban stands out for its level of service and dedicated nursing team.

Lorri Smith, RN, is the nurse leader for women’s services at North Suburban. Smith says one of the main reasons why expecting moms decide to have their baby at North Suburban is that the facility offers all the medical services of a large hospital in a smaller, more intimate setting.

“Because we are a smaller community hospital, there is a more close-knit feel,” Smith says. “They (the moms) get to know our team, even if they’re just here for a couple of days. Sometimes women will say, ‘I started out just having a nurse that was taking care of me, but by the time I went home, I created new friends.’ That’s what makes us unique.”

‘An extraordinarily engaged and friendly group’

In addition to routine services for pregnant women and new moms—including a dedicated labor and delivery staff, along with prenatal and postpartum care—North Suburban Medical Center is a Level II NICU, which provides emergency medical treatment for infants born at 32 weeks or later.

Shawna Morrison, RN, nurse leader for infants and children at North Suburban, says that the physicians and nursing staff in the NICU have a high level of experience in treating or dealing with complications that might arise before, during, or after labor.

“In our NICU, our nurses are all very qualified to do the work that they do,” Morrison says. “They are an extraordinarily engaged and friendly group.”

Birthing center services that go beyond labor and delivery

Prior to going into labor, many expecting moms participate in the Nurse Navigator program at North Suburban. Women and their families receive a personalized tour of the birth center, visit with nurses and medical staff, and make a birthing plan tailored to their needs. Moms-to-be who are unable to participate in the program still receive the same amount of time and attention from the nursing team.

“Even if she hasn’t had a Nurse Navigator, we still want to know ‘What is important to you for your experience? What is it that you’re looking for?” says Smith.

In 2017, the Birth Center at North Suburban underwent a complete, multi-million dollar renovation. Upgrades include more spacious birth suites, a sleeping area for dads, partners or other family members, and a room service menu. The birth center also provides cozy robes for moms, aromatherapy options in each birthing room, and several tubs.

Making those first days at home less stressful for families

Smith says the first few moments and minutes after birth are crucial for both mother and child.

“Once the delivery occurs, we are very protective of that bonding time between mom and baby and families,” Smith says. “We have babies lie on their mom’s chest, commonly referred to as skin-to-skin, so that the baby can take in the sights and smells of mom. This helps with the baby’s temperature and blood sugar regulation after birth.”

Post-labor, new moms at North Suburban also receive breastfeeding and lactation support, car seat safety checks for parents leaving the hospital with their newborn, and take-home meals, which help to eliminate the stress of having to cook in the first few days with an infant.

“The last thing that a mom probably wants to think about is, ‘What do I have to cook everybody when I get home?’,” Smith says. “We provide meals they can pop in the oven, so that this is not something they have to think about the first night they are home.”

A ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ for moms-to-be

In the NICU at North Suburban, another special perk offered to new moms is the Nicview, a free service that allows parents to view a live stream of their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“If (a mom) has to go home, she’s able to log in from any internet service and see her baby,” Morrison says. “She can also share (the stream) with loved ones. Nicview is popular with our military families as well.”

These types of personalized services offered to expecting moms—combined with a passionate and skilled nursing staff—is why many who birth a child at North Suburban return to the hospital when they’re pregnant with another baby.

“It doesn’t matter if this is your first child or your fifth child,” Smith says. “This is still a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

To learn more, visit northsuburban.com/service/pregnancy-childbirth-labor-and-delivery