Tobey’s Maternity Unit Focuses on Family
Each year, about 500 babies are born at Tobey Hospital’s maternity unit. The newly renovated unit includes three private labor and delivery rooms, each equipped with a deep whirlpool tub for hydrotherapy. The locked, secure unit also includes six cozy, private postpartum rooms, each equipped with plush new rocking chairs and one room dedicated for Caesarean sections.
A Comforting Environment
“Because of our unit’s small size, our nursing staff can provide very personalized care that focuses on the family,” said Mary Ellen Boisvert, RN, Nurse Manager for Maternal-Child Health at Tobey Hospital, Southcoast’s Wareham site. “We spend a lot of time getting to know women and asking mothers-to-be what they would like to get out of their birth experience.”
At Tobey, nurses monitor an expectant mom at the bedside, rather than from a central hub. This allows for one-on-one nursing care throughout the birthing process.
“Our nurses love what they do and are very proud of their work,” Boisvert said. “In fact, many of our nurses have delivered their own babies here.”
The unit also offers certified lactation consultants and breast-feeding classes for inpatients and outpatients, as well as classes focused on infant care, childbirth and other topics. For moms interested in complementary therapy, Tobey offers hypnobirthing classes that help moms enhance pain control using their body’s natural pain-fighters.
One Mom’s Experience
In February 2005, Wareham resident Debra Fringuelli delivered her son, Domenic, by cesarean section at Tobey. Fringuelli’s delivery was complicated by high blood pressure, and she was transferred to the intensive care unit after her delivery.
“When I was in intensive care, the maternity nurses came up to see me,” Fringuelli said. “They were fantastic and extremely supportive during that stressful time. I never would have expected that from a bunch of strangers. It really meant a lot to me.”
After 11 days, Fringuelli was able to go home and enjoy her new son. “I had actually switched hospitals so that I could deliver at Tobey,” she said. “And I’m so glad I did.”
