Supporting Exceptional Birth Experiences

When it comes to delivering exceptional support for healthy pregnancies, birthing and postpartum experiences, North Oaks continues to set the standard on the Northshore. 

For four consecutive years, North Oaks Medical Center has ranked as a “Louisiana Birth Ready Plus” hospital as designated by the Louisiana Department of Health & the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC). This distinction places North Oaks among 18 birthing hospitals in the state meeting the highest threshold for quality, safety and patient partnership. 

“We are dedicated to excellence,” asserted Tamara Mitchell, director of Women & Children’s Services at North Oaks Medical Center. “This achievement reaffirms our commitment to enhancing the lives of mothers, babies and their families. Earning this designation four years in a row underscores our diligent and consistent commitment to the healthiest outcomes possible for our community.”

As a birthing hospital, North Oaks Medical Center is also recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana as a Blue Distinction^© Center+ for Maternity Care as part of its Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. The hospital has also earned the highest breastfeeding quality “Gift” designation from the Louisiana Department of Health for fully supporting breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, the hospital's Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ranks among the top 25 percent in the nation according
to the prestigious Vermont-Oxford Network.

Exceptional Accommodations

The top-tier care provided by the hospital’s women and children’s team converges with comfortable and well-appointed surroundings for families to welcome new additions, thanks
to a comprehensive renovation of the hospital’s Labor & Delivery wing. 

The refurbishment includes freshly painted walls, new flooring, lighting, cabinets, bathrooms and doors. Enhancements extend to the birthing suites, obstetrical rooms, medication rooms, guest bathrooms, nurses' stations, cesarean section rooms and waiting areas. 

According to Mitchell, "These renovations reflect our enduring commitment to offering families the advanced technology and medical care of unparalleled skill and compassion to create memorable birth experiences for expectant mothers and their newborns.”

Exceptional Support

More than 220 mothers and mothers-to-be and their families had the opportunity to be among the first members of the community to tour the renovated at Labor and Delivery units
at North Oaks’ inaugural Motherhood & Birth Fair this summer. 

Derrick and Brittany Ducote from Albany shared, “It really put my mind at ease and made me feel comfortable to get acquainted with the staff and see the facilities ahead of my due date.” 

The fair was the first of its kind in Tangipahoa Parish, helping promote and support healthy pregnancies and postpartum experiences with the aid of 34 event volunteers and 44 community partners. 

In addition to tours, participants browsed more than 40 vendor booths and participated in breakout educational sessions. 

Topics ranged from “An Open Forum on Adoption in Louisiana” to “The Continuum of Care: Before, During and After Pregnancy and Delivery,” presented by a panel of providers from North Oaks Health System’s own Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology clinic and community partners from North Oaks Obstetrics & Gynecology clinic. Other topics included “Nutrition for Pregnancy & Postpartum” and “Postpartum Mental Health: In and Beyond the Hospital.”

Dr. Jaime Edwards with Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology, a department of North Oaks Medical Center, asserted, “Our panel presentation on the continuum of care was very well attended with a lot of questions asked – even from fathers. That was good to see.”

Fellow panelist Dr. Dwan Mabry with North Oaks Obstetrics & Gynecology, added, “Participants have been really impressed with the amount of education they have received today. It’s been a tremendous success coming out of the gate.”

Car seat safety checks, installations and demos, compliments of the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force, also were offered at the event. 

Grace Skopec, a North Oaks community health educator who leads the health system’s prenatal class series and is a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, was also part of the effort. “The turnout was exciting. We had a steady stream of parents bringing their vehicles through to get their car seats checked,” Skopec stated. “For parents who didn't bring a car seat, we were able to use a demo
seat to simulate the installation process.”

For Kaimana and Rachel Kauhola of Independence, the car seat checkpoint was one of many attractions. “We just moved here from Washington state last year. It’s extremely helpful to know the car seat is installed correctly and to browse all the different resources that are available,” Rachel noted.

The family also toured Labor & Delivery. “I really appreciated that everything is family-oriented,” observed Kaimana. “It reminded me of the culture back home in Hawaii where I’m originally from. The staff was open to answering any questions we had and welcomed suggestions as well.” 

The appeal of the birth fair extended to the Southshore with couples like Kateri and Archie Washington and Karli Meunier and Damani Wells of Metairie making the drive to Hammond. “I want to have my baby here when the time comes,” asserted Kateri. “I enjoyed the tour. I’m most impressed by how professional and genuine the staff is.” 

Karli echoed Kateri’s comments: “We love it here. The Labor & Delivery area is very nice and big. I love that the baby can room with me. Everyone made you feel like family and answered our questions. We have decided to switch our physician and hospital to North Oaks even though we live 45 minutes away. I’m ready to make an appointment.”

“It’s definitely worth the drive,” Wells added. “I didn’t expect half of what I saw on the tour, and I love that I can participate in skin-to-skin bonding after the baby is born.”

Saleta Costanza, vice president of North Oaks Health System’s Primary Care and Population Health service lines, explained, “That is what the Motherhood & Birth Fair was all about – displaying the best practices that make our hospital and providers the Northshore’s healthcare partner of choice for exceptional birth experiences. In the process, it also highlighted the vibrant community of organizations and businesses who share our passion for supporting women and families along the journey to parenthood.”