Search TBH (Click here to search our web site)

               DIRECTORY (Click here to see a directory of our web site)

The birth of a child can be such an exciting and joyous occasion.

The excitement from family and friends over the new arrival.

 Presents for the newborn.

The sense of relief over a healthy delivery.

But eventually, mom, dad and newborn find their way home to an empty house and to a different lifestyle. Midnight feedings, restless nights, anxiety over “Am I doing this right?”

Parenthood can definitely create many anxious moments, especially for those first-time moms and dads.

For the past six years, The Bellevue Hospital’s Family Birthing Center (FBC) staff members Connie Powell, RNC, and Susan Lucas, RN, have come to the rescue of many anxious parents during a free home visit offered to every family.

“This all began back in 1998 as families would come back to our facility a few days after delivering, for repeat and follow-up testing on the baby,” explained Powell.

“These visits turned into assessments for both mom and baby, and eventually, education became part of the visit. From there, it was decided a home visit would be the better option for all involved.

We now offer each and every family who delivers here a free home visit 1-3 days after they are discharged.”

No distance is too far for the FBC staffers, who, with a combined 38 years of experience, have traveled as far as Defiance, Ashland, and Findlay to make the home visit.

“We assess both the mom and baby during the visit, weighing the baby, going over educational handouts, talking about potential problems such as with breastfeeding, and answering any questions the parents may have,” added Powell.

Continued Powell, “If we find a problem and if it is serious enough, we get the baby into the Emergency Room. If the problem is not as serious, we make an appointment with the family doctor for follow-up care.

And, we offer the family a 24-hour support line in case they have a question in the middle of the night. They simply call our FBC and a nurse answers their questions.”

For one new mother, the home visit was a “Godsend,” explained Lisa Heiser of Attica.

“The first day and a half everything went very well at home. My husband Matt and I didn’t have any questions. By the time Friday rolled around and it was time for Connie’s home visit, we had a ton of questions to ask her. She was definitely a huge help.

Since her visit, I have called TBH and talked with a nurse and asked questions. They are always very friendly and have give me lots of good advice and ideas.”

“The visit is reassuring,” continued Powell. “You can just see the parents relax after they find out they’re doing everything okay and the baby is doing okay. Even second- and third-time moms will come up with questions, or they will tell us ‘Oh yea, I forgot about that,’ when we start talking about different issues.”

The FBC nurses also collaborate with each of the four-county health departments’ “Help Me Grow” program, making referrals when necessary. “The county health departments visit all newborns and we help to coordinate follow-up care when necessary,’ explained Powell.

Families who decline to have an FBC nurse make a home visit are encouraged to bring their baby back in to the FBC for a follow-up visit. “And that’s fine. Our goal is to stress education and proper development of the newborn,” said Powell.

NEXT Family Birthing Center PAGE

For more information on The Bellevue Hospital’s Family Birthing Center or the FBC’s home visit program, phone the department at (419) 483-4040 in Bellevue; (419) 547-0074 in Clyde; or (419) 639-2065 in Fremont, Republic, and Green Springs. Dial or ask for Extension 4295.

Or Click on the Links listed above and below...
 

 Send e-mail to webmaster@bellevuehospital.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003-2004-2005-2006-2007

The Bellevue Hospital, 1400 W. Main Street - P O Box 8004, Bellevue, Ohio  44811-8004    419-483-4040
Last modified: 09/30/04