Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2018 - 9

involve the family and offer the benefits

that the community can see that we're

Our midwives and nurses are very skilled

of a vaginal birth as much as is possible."

all midwives who love to do natural

in helping the mother get the power

childbirth and are united."

to push as well as they can," says Slone.

have been asked to reduce C-sections.

NATURALLY, WE'VE
GOT WHAT MOMS NEED

BEAUTIFUL
NEW ROOMS

We've been very successful at this for

UM SJMC has all the appropriate

Recently, the Mother-Baby Unit underwent

low-risk, first-time mothers," says Dr.

enhancements that mothers seeking

a gorgeous $2 million renovation provided

Rossiter. "The national goal is to get

a natural birth could ask for: In addition

by philanthropy. The inspiring modern

below 23.9 percent. UM SJMC's rate has

to a hydrotherapy tub, "we have birthing

setting features a new Labor and Delivery

dropped from 27 percent in 2016 to 20.9

balls, peanut balls and pushing bars,"

triage unit, five beautiful new postpartum

percent as of September," she says. "His-

says Slone. She explains further: "A birth-

patient rooms, a new waiting area and

torically, UM SJMC's C-section rate has

ing ball is like an exercise ball that aids

a private, serene perinatal bereavement

been lower than average, but the latest

in mom's progress in the open squat

room for families experiencing loss.

stats show even more success. If moth-

position. The peanut ball also helps

ers want an opportunity to have a vaginal

with the open squat and is an additional

the Obstetrics Service continuously

birth, come to UM SJMC. Our vaginal birth

support for a mom who would like an

strives for new heights in patient safety.

rate has ties to our midwifery care. We

epidural because she is extremely tense

"We have an initiative to reduce post-

were the first hospital-based midwifery

or uncomfortable. We have dedicated

partum hemorrhage," Dr. Rossiter says.

practice in the area and continue this

in-house anesthesiologists who are art-

"We measure blood loss for every

tradition. We have excellent obstetricians

ists in pain relief. That's the beauty of

delivery. When a patient's blood loss

who provide evidence-based obstetrics

an in-hospital birthing center. We can

exceeds normal expectations, we use

care following the most progressive rec-

combine modalities, and the mom can

examinations, monitoring, early interven-

ommendations of the American College

still have a lovely natural birth.

tions and medications to prevent further

At the same time, UM SJMC Obstetrics
has led the way in decreasing C-section
rates. "Hospitals in the state of Maryland

of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"The pushing bars are placed

In addition to a beautiful space,

blood loss and avoid the need for blood

"Vaginal deliveries result in reduced

on top of the bed, and mom can use

transfusions. We've seen a steady

infections, less blood loss, shorter hospi-

her arms or feet on the bars to push.

decline in patient hemorrhages." 

tal stays, less risk for blood clots and the
ability for mothers to get up and around
sooner after delivery," says Dr. Rossiter.

EXPANDING
MIDWIFERY PROGRAM
Nurse midwife Kathy Slone, CNM,
whose midwife practice is legendary
in the Baltimore area, joined UM
SJMC in 2013 because of "the hospital's strong commitment to midwifery
that hasn't wavered for the last two
decades," she says. Recently, she joined
UM SJMC's Women's Health Associates
(WHA), which now has six full-time
nurse midwives. "I've always been
connected to WHA for when my
patients have complications or need
cesarean sections. I trust and rely on
WHA's clinical expertise. By dropping
my name from my practice, I hope

CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASSES
Classes include baby care, breastfeeding, grandparents update and infant massage
classes for parents and baby. Call 410-337-1880 to register. Fees apply.
stjosephtowson.com | Winter 2018  9
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2018
