HARLEM HOSPITAL CENTER UNVEILS NEW BIRTHING SUITES

Today Harlem Hospital Center unveiled its 5 newly constructed Birthing Bedroom Suites. This addition will provide family-centered and comprehensive care for women before, during and after normal pregnancy, labor and birth. The beautifully designed Birthing Suites are a collaborative community effort that will offer greater choices to the women and families of Harlem, surrounding their birthing preferences.

Support of over $1.4 million in funding from Congressman Charles B. Rangel and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, made the state-of-the-art Birthing Suites possible. Thanks to their generous gift to the community, Harlem Hospital Center now has a newly reorganized Labor and Delivery Unit and has completed Phase I of a multi-phase plan.

There are 12 Board Certified Obstetricians, a Maternal Fetal Specialist and a Perinatologist (additional obstetricians) for those births needing this expertise, 4 licensed Certified Nurse Midwives, Registered Nurses, Nursing Aides and Physician Assistants at Harlem Hospital Center's Department of Obstetrics.

Harlem Hospital along with the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership (NMPP) has provided the foundation and expertise for the Birthing Suites at Harlem Hospital Center. Both organizations have been providing quality health and support services community wide, and are promoting a continuum of high quality, holistic services.

The Birthing Suite will provide a high touch, low-tech environment that is nurturing and family-centered. The large rooms have a living room styled area with sofa, comfortable chairs, TV/VCR and a play area. A home-like kitchen area with stove, refrigerator, table and chairs is also part of the Suite. Rooms are equipped with birth balls, birthing stools, rocking chairs, and cradles to enhance and compliment the birth experience. A Jacuzzi accompanies each bath area. Classrooms are nearby and will include a client lending library, educational literature displays and computer with Internet access.

The location of the Birthing Suite will complement the services that have been the cornerstone of Harlem Hospital's services to maternal and newborn patients: Prenatal care, 24-hour telephone access, Labor, Birth and Post-partum care. Prenatal Comprehensive Access Program (PCAP), social work services, comprehensive laboratory support, diagnostic testing (including ultrasound, non-stress tests) and GYN services are available. Program services also include a very wide array of Pediatric Support Services, WIC, Family Planning and Family Navigator Programs with home visits and support groups. Educational forums are provided with classes on Child birthing, breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition, exercise and Smoking Cessation support.

Harlem Hospital Center is part of the Generations+/ Northern Manhattan Health Network and is operated by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC).