Base hospital revamps birthing center
Published 10:00 am Saturday, February 21, 2004
Expectant moms who deliver their babies at Whidbey Naval Air Station’s hospital can now welcome their little ones in a resort-like setting, thanks to renovations in the birthing center facilities.
The labor and delivery department held an open house Feb. 12 to celebrate the completion of the redecorating of three birthing center labor, delivery and recovery rooms.
“It needed a major face lift,” Women’s Health co-manager Holly Crutchfield said. “We wanted to be able to provide all the comforts of home to mothers in labor, and provide a nice atmosphere.
Heather Mahala, co-manager, agreed.
She said the hospital delivered 429 babies last year, and averages 30 to 40 per month. They expect that number to increase as sailors return from deployment.
Volunteer labor and $300,000 from the federal Bureau of Medicine for a birth product line of equipment helped make the transformation a reality. In addition to the room makeovers, the hospital now offers epidurals around the clock, and has purchased new equipment such as fetal monitors and baby warmers.
The once utilitarian hospital rooms are now awash with soft colors and cheerful paintings. All the equipment needed for successfully delivering a baby is tucked away behind warm oak cabinets. The rooms are large enough to hold an entire family while they await their newest member, and that’s the goal.
“We’re a family — a military family,” Capt. Susan Herrold said. “People feel a sense of belonging here.”
“Seaside Getaway” was decorated by Navy Wives Club of America No. 150. Member Jean Wieman was on hand to witness the ribbon cutting by base commander Capt. Stephen Black and hospital commander Capt. Herrold.
“We got the call asking for help,” Wieman said, “ and we just jumped at the chance.”
The group decided an ocean theme would be calming, since “the birthing process is not a calm event,” she said.
There are no sea views from the room, but they created one with wallpaper cutouts. A fishing net strung with starfish is draped along the top of the oak cabinets which line one wall. A “welcome aboard” life ring hangs opposite the bed, and a lighthouse wallpaper border runs along the ceiling.
Down the hall the “English Garden” room, decorated by the wives of VAQ-141, is a calm green, with ivy and floral touches. A dainty tea cup sits on an oak shelf by a curtain-framed mirror.
The “Northwest Woodlands Retreat,” decorated by Naval Air Station Officer Spouses Club might be the most inviting to expectant dads. It feels like an L.L. Bean-type cabin, with a patchwork quilt on the bed and nature photos lining the walls.
The room has a special appeal for Capt. Black. His wife Jean took the photos, and the couple might be using the room this summer, if it is available. They are expecting their first child in July.
Black said the hospital already had a great staff, and the room renovations made it all the better.
“It’s a great addition,” he said. “It makes it all the more welcoming to come in and have a baby.”
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Adair, his wife Sebastiana and their first baby, Grace Michela, can attest to the comfort of all the rooms.
Sebastiana had several false alarms over the last few weeks, and spent time in all three rooms before finally delivering baby Grace in the “English Garden” room Feb. 11.
“We were really please with it,” Sebastiana said, cradling her well-swaddled newborn. She and Michael were joined in the room by her parents from Italy, but she said they didn’t feel crowded.
“I don’t think I could have had a better experience,” she said. “It feels more like a resort — it makes me want to stay!
