where happiness is born!€¦ · Welcome to Wittlich obstetrics! BEFORE BIRTH Our maternity clinic in St. Elisabeth Hospital delivers and oversees around 1,000 births annually. Here

Quality seal according to criteria of WHO / UNICEF initiative: “Baby friendly Hospital”

Wittlich obstetrics unitSt. Elisabeth Hospital, WittlichInformation for expectant parents

... where happiness is born!

BEFORE BIRTH Welcome to Wittlich obstetrics!Our maternity clinic in St. Elisabeth Hospital delivers and oversees around 1,000 births annually. Here young mothers enjoy optimum all-round support provided by our experienced and qualified team of doctors, midwives, carers and therapists. In this brochure we explain our offers relating to pregnancy and birth preparation, the birth itself as well as support and aftercare for you and your child.

With us, YOU will be the focus of attention – your needs as a mother-to-be and the needs of your family. The decision as to where an expectant mother gives birth to her baby is a very personal one and is dependent on many factors.

Our Wittlich obstetrics team offers you trusting and competent support for the childbirth of your choice.

Contents Page

• Before birth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

• Birth preparation – what does this involve?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

• Support for risk pregnancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

• Our delivery rooms/the birth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

• What actually is meant by “bonding”?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

• Intensive support for premature births and newborn babies . . . . . . . 6

• Post-natal units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

• Getting off to a good breastfeeding start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

• Preventive medical check-ups for your newborn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

BEFORE BIRTH

1

Important tests and appointments await you and your baby during your pregnancy.

These will be conducted by the heads of dept. OB/GYN at St. Elisabeth Hospital. Wittlich.

During your regular prenatal check-ups you‘ll be screened for gestational diabetes and other risk factors, including high blood pressure.

At an advanced gestational age you‘ll also be send to the delivery room for further monitoring by the midwives.

3D ultrasound (most favourable period: 25th-32nd week of pregnancy)Many couples are glad to use the option of 3D ultra-sound. The advantage of this prenatal method of exa-mination is that the baby is often better represented spatially. We will be pleased to advise you; Appointment under phone: 06571 / 15-32 515.

T. Domagalski and Dr. Peter G. LocherHeads of the Department. OB / GYN-Wittlich

2

Ideally, pregnancy and childbirth are experienced consciously and positively if your way of thinking and feeling are in harmony with each other. This “head-body-child” feeling occurs for the most part on an emotional level and matures during pregnancy. Think about what is important to you with regard to pregnancy and birth. In this respect, communication with your partner, doctors and midwives as well as the exchange of ideas with other pregnant women or young parents are also helpful. The better you are informed, the easier it will be for you to deal with the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Prenatal classes:Mothers that are prepared can understand childbirth better and experience it more con-sciously, with less anxiety and less pain. Midwives offer antenatal classes in which future parents can ask specific questions and learn from each other.

The evening courses for couples give fathers-to-be the opportunity to be involved right from the start and to exchange ideas with other fa-thers. A well-informed and optimistic partner will be able to provide better support at decisive moments.

Most women begin attending these courses from the 20th week of pregnancy. The pregnancy is so far advanced at this stage that the exercises can be intensively experienced; however, there is still enough time for calm preparation.

Please take into account the fact that possible cost coverage for these offers must be clarified individually by the patient in advance with TRICARE.

Further offers & information at www.hebammen-wittlich.de

BEFORE BIRTH

3

Recognized as a clinic with perinatal focus:The obstetrics team at St. Elisabeth Hospital delivers and supports around 1,000 births annually. As a clinic with perinatal focus, we take your individual situation and needs into account, including risk pregnancies and premature births (from the 32nd week of pregnancy and an estimated birth weight of over 1,500g).

The meaning of “risk pregnancy”:This term perhaps sounds somewhat alarming; however, most risks can often be recognized at an early stage and treated accordingly by means of intensive talks and care combined with stringent checks

A mother-to-be is treated as a woman with a risk-pregnancy, e.g. in the case of:

• Gestational diabetes

• Twin birth

• Heart disease, problems with the circulatory system or the kidneys

• Premature labor pains

• Incorrect position of the placenta

No need to fear gestational diabetesGestational diabetes is a temporary metabolic disorder which is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. If this form of diabetes is detected at an early stage and treated accordingly, the affected mothers can usually have an uncomplicated preg-nancy and experience normal delivery.

In this case, please discuss the further procedure with your own doctors. In close cooperation with them, further treatment can be provided in our clinic by our spe-cialists for diabetology. In addition, our children’s clinic experts have ample expe-rience in the treatment of children of diabetic mothers.

SAFETY

4

The time has come ...If the labor pains occur at regular 5-10 minute intervals or if you have a rupture of the membranes, you should come to us in the clinic. You will be received by our on-duty midwives, a CTG will be written and you will be examined. The doctor on duty will also be called in.

Well cared for – safe and secure:The 24-hour presence of a midwife, consultants and carers from the gynaecology/ obstetrics, pediatrics and anaesthesia units will reassure you with the best possible medical and nursing care – every day around the clock!

When childbirth begins:In our 4 modernly equipped delivery rooms you can give birth in any position you wish. The position of the special delivery room beds can be flexibly adjusted exactly at your convenience. Holding cloths are fitted above each bed; birthing chairs and balls are available. You may also bring along your favourite music CDs.

Our clinic is equipped with a special birthing tub, which will enable you to have a relaxing bath during labor as well as a water birth.

And what about birth pains? In accordance with your wishes, the following me-thods of pain relief are applied by our obstetrics team: acupuncture, homeopathy, aroma therapy and pain-relieving medicine. Labor-facilitating epidural anaesthesia (PDA) is possible at any time if you wish.

Caesarean: Our clinic has more than 5 modern operating theatres. A caesarean delivery is carried out under spinal (+70%) epidural or general anaesthesia. Your partner may accompany you in the operating theatre. A paediatrician will also be present at the caesarean delivery.

We look forward to accompanying you on the path to parenthood.

THE BIRTH

5

Parenthood begins with “bonding”Parents give their baby something extre-mely important, which will accompany the child throughout its life: a sense of basic trust.

With so-called bonding, the first time spent together after the birth, parents and child get to know each other. Eye contact and intensive physical contact are also condu-cive to emotional intimacy. Your baby will be calmer and more relaxed.

At the beginning, the biology of our body provides strong support: during childbirth the messenger substance oxytocin is released in the mother’s brain. This hormone is also called “bonding hormone”. Many women report a happy, almost ecstatic state and experience a profound feeling for the small being placed at their breast. When the baby begins to suck, a second dose of oxytocin is released, which ma-kes breastfeeding beneficial for the relationship between mother and child.

We are convinced that we can enable you and your partner to have a quiet and intimate time with your baby following the delivery room birth. If you wish, we will support you with the first attempts at breastfeeding. Later, when rooming-in in our postnatal unit, you will be together with your partner and child continuously. A cer-tified breastfeeding and lactation advisor will accompany you on the way to a successful period of breastfeeding.

In the case of premature birth, it is often necessary to provide immediate care for your baby in an incubator. In order to build up a strong emotional bond despite these circumstances, we promote intimacy with the child as often as possible by means of so-called “kangarooing”. Cuddling helps to strengthen the delicate bond.

Our maternity clinic was awarded the international quality seal “Baby Friendly Clinic”. Our objective is to give your child the best start in life as well as a pleasant and safe childbirth experience for you as expectant parents! In order to promote bonding, development and breastfeeding, we work according to the B.E.St® - criteria of the WHO / UNICEF initiative “baby-friendly”.

BONDING

6

Our clinic was recognized and designated by the state as a so-called clinic with perinatal focus.

This recognition is awarded to maternity and children’s clinics which offer high-quality medi-cal treatment to newborn babies and which are able to cope adequately with sudden-ly occurring neonatal emer-gen cies.

Close cooperation with the neonatal specialists of our pediatric department enab-les us to deal with high-risk births and and premature births from the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy or to deliver and care for an estimated birth weight of over 1,500 grams (60 ounces / oz or 3 lb 5 oz).

Safety in all cases: intensive care unit for premature births and newbornsIn the event of complications with a premature birth or a newborn child, the well-coordinated team of specialists of the maternity and pediatric clinic ensures around the clock optimum care in our neonatal ICU.

Our clinic is equipped for:

• intensive care and

• respiration of the newborns

as well as diagnostic procedures such as:

• radiology

• general sonography

• echocardiography

• and EEG.

INTENSIVE CARE

Senior Paediatrician Andrea Jehn taking care of a premature baby in humidicrib

7

The new parents and their children are the focus of attention in our postnatal unit. Our team would like to make the first days after the birth as familiar and pleasant as possible. All our efforts are geared towards the strengthening of the moth-er-child bond and the enhancement of your motherly competence. We will be pleased to provide guidance and offer valuable knowledge on the relationship with your child – for the new experience of everyday life with your baby.

All individual obstetrics areas, such as the delivery rooms, the postnatal unit, the room for newborns, the premature birth/newborn intensive care unit as well as the breakfast and recreation room are located on the same floor close to each other.

The midwives, carers and doctors who support you during childbirth, will continue to be your preferred contact partners, to ensure that your needs are optimally catered for.

We hope that the intensive initial period of mu-tual understanding will be an unforgettable and beautiful experience for you and your baby.

Our postnatal ward offers you:

• 24 hour mutual support for mother and child• Personal support, familiar atmosphere• Breastfeeding advice and help in your room• Breakfast buffet in Café Storchennest• Physical therapy in the postnatal unit:

postnatal exercises• Daily follow-up care consultations• Free Wi-Fi access at admission• Free guide for an optimal start with

your child („The baby is born..“)• Offers of Babysmile for baby

and family photography

POSTNATAL WARD

Breakfast buffet at“Café Storchennest”

View into a patient‘s room at our postnatal ward

8

Breastfeeding doesn’t always run smoothly after childbirth. Problems with milk production, breast pain or difficulties putting the baby to the breast can drive some mothers to despair.In this situation, midwives, carers and breast-feeding advisors offer you competent support. Relaxation, rest and patience are just as impor-tant as the proper breastfeeding position.

According to the WHO recommendation, 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and further breastfeeding up to the age of 2 and after that as a supplement, is in many ways ideal for babies. The most important advantages of breastfeeding are as follows:

1. Breastmilk is normal infant nutrition and is matched to the needs of the child.

2. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child.

3. Breastfeeding protects against infections (also through the special properties of first milk/colostrum).

4. Breastfeeding benefits the health of the mother (breast cancer prophylaxis).

The content of vitamins, mineral substances and enzymes in breastmilk is exactly coordinated with the needs of the rapidly growing organism and also offers unique protection against infections and allergies. The free folder “The Baby is Born” offers, among other things, advice on breastfeeding techniques, effective milk production, prevention of breastfeeding problems, proper food and drink during the breastfeeding period as well as the normal weight development of infants – everything therefore needed for a positive breastfeeding start.

The clinic’s breastfeeding and lactation advisor offers all mothers professional, personal advice and support on themes such as help and motivation during the breastfeeding period, nutritional advice, breastfeeding while at work, supple-mentary diet, sleeping behaviour, etc. The clinic also organises regular thematic events entitled “Bester Start ins Leben” (best start in life) – currently only in German – with extensive breastfee-ding information for parents and all interested parties.

BREASTFEEDING

9

The U1 examination is carried out immediately after childbirth by the attending midwife.

The U2, also known as newborn basis examina-tion, is a thorough examination which takes place between the 3rd and 10th day of life, usually in our maternity clinic. This examina-tion will determine the newborn’s state of health; heart and lungs will be checked, the skin will be examined for blood flow and muscle tension and natural reflexes will be carefully examined. In addition, blood oxygen levels will be painlessly checked (without pricks), in order to detect threatening heart defects in good time. Organs, genitals, skin and bones are also checked as well as digestion and reflexes of the nervous system.

If required for medical reasons, our expe-rienced doctors from the Department of Paediatric and Youth Medicine will con-duct ultrasound tests to check for normal development, e.g. of head, hips, kidneys or urinary tract, so that development dis-orders can be detected in good time and prevented. The further pediatric check-ups will be done on base.

Our emergency outpatients‘ department for children can be contacted at week-ends (24h) and weekdays outside practi-ce opening hours of your paediatrician (from approx. 6pm) on the 3rd floor of the clinic. Our doctors and therapists also of-fer special help for so-called cry-babies, among other things in the case of KISS syndrome. In this context, the therapeutic approach includes craniosacral, manual and Vojta therapy. Here again, cost co-verage should be discussed individually in advance with TRICARE.

EXAMINATIONS

... where happiness is born!Our obstetrics team at St. Elisabeth Hospital delivers and oversees around 1,000 births annually. Here, young mothers enjoy optimum all-round support provided by our experienced and qualified team of doctors, midwives, carers and therapists. As a clinic with “perinatal focus”, we provide competent and considerate care for expectant parents – from prenatal diagnostics and advice to delivery, right through to post-natal care.

Obstetrics in St. Elisabeth Hospital Koblenzer Str. 91 • 54516 Wittlich www.verbund-krankenhaus.de

Department for Gynaecology and Obstetrics Heads of department: Dr. med. P. Locher / T. Domagalski Secretariat phone: 06571 / 15-32 515 • fax: 06571 / 15- 32 590 E-mail: [email protected]

Department for Children and Youth Medicine Head of department: Dr. med. K. Mahler Secretariat phone: 06571 / 15-32 715 • fax: 06571 / 15-32 790 E-mail: [email protected]

Wittlich midwife team Verbundkrankenhaus Bernkastel / Wittlich phone: delivery room: 06571 / 15-32 501 E-mail: [email protected] www.hebammen-wittlich.de

VerbundkrankenhausBernkastel / WittlichSt. Elisabeth HospitalKoblenzer Str. 91 54516 Wittlich

Interested in a guided tour through labor and postnatal ward? Appointments under phone: 06571 / 15-28 821