Not the same birthing center your mother knew

COLUMBIA — Emily Green can still remember the stories of childbirth that her mom always tells. Green is the sixth of eight children, so her mom has plenty of stories.

“My mom told me about how my dad was not allowed in the delivery room for my oldest sister’s birth because at that time men weren’t allowed in the delivery room,” Green said.

More than five months ago, Green gave birth to her first child. She knew from the beginning that her delivery was going to be different from her mother’s stories.

“My mom went natural, so I knew it was going to be a different pain,” Green said. “Once I got the epidural, I was able to relax and talk with people during the labor.”

Bonnie Potter, the assistant manager at the Labor and Delivery department of Columbia Regional Hospital, said that it not surprising that women who have recently given birth cannot relate to what their mothers experienced.

“We can do a lot more for the mother and child than we could 20 years ago,” Potter said. “Epidurals have become much more common in the birthing process.”

Potter says about 70 percent to 80 percent of women who come through Columbia Regional choose to use an epidural during childbirth.

“Epidurals are safer for women than IV medication,” Potter said. “IV medication can affect the baby because it eventually passes through the baby’s blood stream.”

Although epidurals have helped more and more mothers cope with labor pain, the babies have benefited the most from recent medical advancements. Potter said the neonatal intensive care units, which treat premature babies and other critically ill infants, can save lives.

“We can now monitor babies more closely for any signs of stress,” Potter said. “In the past, they didn’t have the technology, so there was always a high possibility for complications.”

New technology has not been responsible for every change that has occurred in birthing centers. Some changes are the result of new medical research and surveys of previous patients. Potter said mothers have babies stay in their rooms longer, rather than the traditional way of having the nurse bring out the baby only when it was time for feeding.

There have also been changes in the number of people allowed in the room during the birth. At Columbia Regional, five people are allowed in the labor and delivery room. During the actual delivery, three are allowed to remain. Green said she was surprised at the number of people that were allowed in the room.

“Besides family, there were quite a few doctors, medical students and nurses in the room,” she said. “It made me feel slightly uncomfortable.”

Green, though, had no complaints about how she was treated while at the hospital.

“I thought it was a really good experience, and everyone was great.” Green said. ”They gave me good information and taught me a lot about breast feeding.”

Potter said the information that nurses give patients is also researched. In the past, individual nurses would teach their own patients, but now the hospital requires its patients to attend an exit class where one nurse teaches a large group.

“We want to educate new moms, but we also want to make sure it’s consistent,” Potter said.