Labor and Delivery, NICU Care & CMN Support at AHN Saint Vincent

Bringing a baby into the world is a big moment. Choosing the right care team can make all the difference.

Whether your birth goes exactly as planned or your baby requires extra support, families are supported through labor and delivery, recovery, and beyond at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. And if a baby needs extra help, advanced neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services and support from Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) are there to ensure the smallest patients and their families get the care they need to thrive.

Compassionate labor and delivery care

At the AHN Women and Infants Center at Saint Vincent, the care team focuses on making each birth both safe and supported. They take time to understand what matters most to you and include you in every decision.

“The perfect labor and delivery experience looks different for every person,” said Jill O’Connor, RN, labor and delivery nurse manager at Saint Vincent. “We focus not only on excellent outcomes, but also compassionate, family-centered care.”

Our care team keeps you informed throughout labor and delivery to reduce uncertainty. Families also have access to added support through the BirthRoot Community Doula program.

A doula is a trained professional who offers:

• Emotional and physical support during labor
• Help communicating with the care team
• Continued support after delivery, including lactation guidance

After delivery, you can recover and bond with your newborn in a private room. Our specially trained team will give you a helping hand during the postpartum period by:

• Assisting you with breastfeeding
• Teaching you how to give your baby a bath
• Caring for your baby in our fully equipped nursery if you need a break

Advanced care for infants who need extra support

Help is close by if your baby needs special care. Labor and delivery, postpartum care, and the NICU are all located on the same floor to allow our care team to coordinate quickly.

Saint Vincent has a Level III NICU. This NICU level of care means our neonatal specialists are the most experienced in the region at treating a wide range of complex conditions for premature and sick newborns.

The team uses advanced technology to support infants in the NICU:

• Giraffe OmniBed Carestation^TM to control temperature that promotes healthy growth
• Specialized breathing support, like high-frequency ventilation, for fragile lungs
• Therapeutic cooling to help protect the brain after oxygen loss during birth

Advanced technology also helps care teams monitor babies more closely, which leads to better insights and better care.

“Newer Omnibed models integrate directly with electronic health records, giving care teams real-time data and more time at the bedside,” said Danielle Eden, RN, NICU nurse manager at Saint Vincent.

Family support in the NICU

We understand that having a baby in the NICU is stressful. That’s why Saint Vincent focuses on caring for both babies and families.

Parents can stay connected to their baby at any time with NicView® live-stream video. When at the hospital, families are encouraged to spend time at the bedside where they can:

• Hold their baby skin-to-skin, known as kangaroo care, to support bonding
• Read, talk, and spend time together
• Help with daily care like feeding and diaper changes
• Practice caring for their baby in a “nesting room” before going home

When your baby is ready to go home, our team makes the transition home as smooth as possible. A dedicated social worker helps to connect you with early intervention programs and secure any medical equipment or financial support you may need.

Support from Children’s Miracle Network^®

Saint Vincent is the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital. That means CMN donations made in the community directly support babies, children, and families receiving care at Saint Vincent.

“Since 1986, more than $6 million has been raised to provide top-of-the-line medical equipment and family assistance,” said Emily Vommaro, CMN program director at Saint Vincent. “That has allowed us to support both the care team and our patients in meaningful ways.”

To give your baby the best possible health outcome and create a more comfortable experience for you, CMN funding helps provide:

• NICU equipment and warmers, including specialized beds
• Feeding pumps and transport equipment for infants
• Car seats and safe sleep spaces, such as pack-and-play bassinets
• Sleep sacks to help reduce the risk of SIDS
• Gas cards and meal vouchers for families during long NICU stays
• Journals and milestone cards to help families document their baby’s journey

CMN support also extends to ongoing advancements in care. This includes the state-of-the-art North STAR simulation lab where care teams can practice for complex labor and delivery and NICU scenarios, before treating real patients.

Care that supports your growing family

Every family’s journey is different, but at Saint Vincent, you’ll have the same team by your side to support you and your baby at every step.

“We’re here before, during, and after delivery,” said Eden. “Our goal is to keep families together and supported every step of the way.”

Call 814-879-6636 to schedule a tour or learn more about the AHN Women and Infants Center at Saint Vincent.