On opening day — Feb. 4, 2013 — of The Mother Baby Center, we celebrated many firsts including the first baby delivered and the first infant moved to the Special Care Nursery. We also recognized the last baby born at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
There were 11 deliveries, and 25 patients were seen at the Maternal Assessment Center during the first day, said Michelle Smith, RN, director of the Center. Eleven antepartum patients, eight postpartum patients and two patients in labor were moved from Abbott Northwestern to the neighboring Center either by skyway or through a quarter-mile underground tunnel.
Sixteen infants were moed from Abbott Northwestern to the Special Care Nursery at the Center. Four babies were admitted from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) into the Special Care Nursery..
As of 8 p.m. today, there had been two deliveries and five antepartum patients admitted. Nine patients were in labor, and 22 patients were seen at the Maternal Assessment Center.
“We had an amazing team that worked together to ensure patients remained safe and had a positive experience with the transition to The Mother Baby Center,” Smith said. “The nursing staff, physicians and midwives have always been known for the excellent care they provide, and now they have a space that helps to support that excellent care. It truly is a great place to have a baby and a great place to be a baby.”
Meet some of the reasons for celebrating:
Gemma Towle was the first baby born at the Center. Weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces, Gemma was born at 11:20 a.m. Proud parents are Michael and Kristin Towle. Gemma joins two big brothers and a sister.
Leo Kummer was the first infant moved to the Special Care Nursery from Abbott Northwestern. Weighing 2 pounds, 4 ounces, he was born in December 2012. His proud parents are Lisa and Ben Kummer.
At 6:47 a.m. on Feb. 4, Brianna and Vanan Murugesan welcomed their third child — baby Annika — at Abbott Northwestern. She arrived literally within minutes of the mother and infant patient transfers from Abbott Northwestern to the Center. Weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces, Annika was healthy and full term. She joins a big brother and sister.
We will share full stories about these families throughout the week.