Patient-Centered Care: Choosing the Right Facility for Your Baby’s Birth
Preparing for the arrival of a new member of the family is an exciting journey filled with decisions and emotions. One of the most crucial decisions expectant parents face is choosing where their little one will enter the world. With factors like medical expertise, facilities, and personal preferences to consider, the choice can feel overwhelming. For Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck, it’s all about relationships. “We have a knowledgeable staff who cares about our patients so much and go out of their way to take great care of you and your baby. Recognizing the deeply personal nature of the birthing experience, we place great importance on accommodating your preferences and requirements at every opportunity,” said Dr. Tessmer-Tuck.
CRMC’s birthing suites are designed to enhance the birthing experience and keep families together. Featuring soft, low lighting and Bluetooth speakers for personalized music, the ambiance is calming. Expectant mothers can indulge in the scent of essential oils and bath salts while enjoying a private whirlpool tub, available in each room. “From unmedicated deliveries with support for position changes and soothing baths to IV pain meds, nitrous oxide gas, and epidurals if you need them, we offer various birthing styles,” explained Dr. Tessmer-Tuck.
She highlights CRMC’s commitment to keeping families together by maintaining a low transfer rate for full-term babies needing moderate post-delivery support. This reduces the likelihood of separation from the newborn, ensuring uninterrupted bonding time during the crucial “golden hour” after birth; encouraging uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, and delaying measurements to enhance bonding.
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience, but it can also be challenging, especially for new moms. We understand the ups and downs of this journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you need a breast pump, we can bill through your insurance and provide you with either a Medela or Motif pump at discharge. This means new mothers can focus on bonding with their baby without the hassle of making a trip to a medical supply store.
The patient-centered care at CRMC extends beyond the birthing experience. “The patient and their guest get to have a special meal cooked for them by the hospital dietary staff before they go home. It’s served on a table with a tablecloth and sparkling non-alcoholic wine,” Dr. Tessmer-Tuck exclaimed. “I absolutely love it!” From special celebratory meals before discharge to thoughtful gift packages for the whole family, every detail is designed to make the transition into parenthood as smooth and memorable as possible.
In our newborn follow-up program, we extend our focus beyond tracking the baby’s development; we place equal emphasis on the health and happiness of the mother and family. Through open discussions on feeding and addressing postpartum depression, we ensure ongoing support by conducting wellness check-ins every three months until the baby reaches their first birthday.
Wondering if this could be the right fit for your birthing experience? Tours of the labor and delivery facilities are available upon request, allowing expectant parents to meet the staff and familiarize themselves with the environment. Additionally, CRMC provides a dedicated phone line for patients to call with any questions or concerns, ensuring peace of mind with 24/7 support.
Choosing where to welcome your little one into the world is significant. At Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, expectant parents can rest assured knowing they will receive personalized care, support, and attention every step of the way. We are dedicated to making the birthing experience truly memorable and positive.
Get to know more about our OBGYN physicians:
Michael T. Cady, M.D.
Rachel S. Cady, M.D.
Angela Faulkner, M.D.
Alisha Lindberg, M.D.
Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck, M.D.
OBGYN nurse practitioners:
Melissa Goble, W.H.N.P.
Harlie Metag, W.H.N.P.
Family Medicine physicians with obstetrics:
Hannah Elsenpeter, M.D. (prenatal care only)
Monica L. Goodwin, M.D.