Keeping Moms and Babies Safe During the Pandemic
3/18/2021
Commonwealth Health welcomed more than 2500 newborns in 2020 and is prepared to deliver more this year
March 2021 - The delivery of babies has been a happy event for the labor and delivery team at Moses Taylor Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital over the past year. Thousands of infants have taken their first breath at the hospitals and been a welcome sight in the midst of the global pandemic.
While the virus has changed many things in the world – the hospitals’ childbirth center and nurseries are a pleasant constant, located in a separate, enclosed area to provide specialized care and services. A dedicated team of nurses and obstetricians work exclusively with the moms and babies through delivery and post-partum care.
“Even through the hardships of the last year, the joy of bringing a new life into the world is a wonderful constant and it’s a privilege to support the families who are counting on us,” said Dr. Frank Kolucki, chairman of obstetrics & gynecology at Moses Taylor Hospital. “Our labor and delivery unit is a special place designed to keep mom and baby safe, with experienced nurses and increased safety measures.”
Pre-natal care remains critical and women are encouraged to stay in contact with their obstetrician and keep their appointments to be sure their pregnancy is on track. And once baby is here, regular visits to the pediatrician are important to help them thrive.
The hospital and physician clinics keep the safety of their patients as the top priority. Many actions have been taken to enhance infection prevention and support social distancing to maintain a safe environment during the pandemic.
When an expectant mom arrives at the hospital, she goes to the main entrance or ER where staff will check her temperature, test for COVID-19 and complete a screening questionnaire. Moms can have one guest who stays with them in their room throughout their stay and cannot go in and out; the individual must have tested negative for COVID-19 and wear a mask at all times.
Labor and delivery proceed as they always have and most adjuvent procedures remain available. Circumcisions can also be performed. Breastfeeding is encouraged, even for moms who test positive for COVID-19 and can protect their infant by wearing a mask. Moms and babies are not separated.
Commonwealth Health offers birthing services at both Moses Taylor Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) is accepted at all Commonwealth Health hospitals. We also offer a variety of classes to prepare mothers and families before and after the birth of a child. Classes and maternity tours have online options available.
Moses Taylor Hospital also offers a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – with 24-hour access to an in-house neonatologist. The NICU is designed to enable more control of artificial and natural lighting, as well as significant noise reduction to lower an infant’s stress levels. Private rooms are uniquely designed to suit the needs of premature or critically ill newborns, and specialized monitoring technology enables staff to continually observe every infant’s condition.
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is a designated BlueCross BlueShield Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. This designation shows our commitment to providing quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results. Our maternity care team provides around-the-clock care for mothers and newborns in a comfortable environment.
For information on the Childbirth Center or finding an obstetrician at our hospitals, visit cwhbaby.com/delivers/
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