It’s the little things that deliver big smiles
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life – and at the BirthPlace in our Niles and St. Joseph hospitals, we want to make it a healthy time. Our family of obstetric and pediatric physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, midwives, and lactation consultant strive to continuously provide our moms, babies, and families a safe, nationally-recognized, and high-quality experience.
Some of the little things that make the BirthPlace a special space for you a baby:
- Access to pediatric specialists 24/7
- Experienced and loving health care professionals
- Intimate family-centered birthing suites
- Newly renovated rooms
- Online nursery for friends and family who can’t be present
- Daily serenity hours
- Continued support throughout your delivery until you depart home
- Ongoing new parent education
Your baby's safety is at the heart of what we do.
Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital proudly earned a platinum designation for maternal care from the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM). Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph also earned gold level designation, the second highest ranking.
MI AIM works with birthing hospitals to reduce and eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity. Hospitals implement structured “safety bundle” plans to improve health outcomes for mothers to combat the leading causes of maternal mortality such as obstetric hemorrhage and severe hypertension. Safety bundle plans help hospitals by defining actionable protocols, education, equipment, and drills to prevent and treat serious maternal events. Learn more.
The Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM), a nonprofit group comprised of Michigan’s largest employers and unions, has awarded Lakeland Hospitals with the 2022 Maternity Care Excellence Award for demonstrated excellence in maternity care and delivery outcome. The Niles Hospital received this award a third year in a row.
The awards are part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to decrease the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections, and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.
Aug 10, 2016 Reporting from Niles, MI
A Birth-Day Blessing - Amanda
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/pregnancy-care/birthplace/Detail/a-birth-day-blessing/?utm_source=A_Birth-Day_Blessing&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Aug 10, 2016
Aug 10, 2016
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Amanda, 29, a Stevensville resident, and her husband felt extremely blessed upon the birth of their first son in 2010. However, when they decided to try for their second child things didn’t come as easy. Amanda had three miscarriages before bec
A Birth-Day Blessing - Amanda
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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A Birth-Day Blessing - Amanda
Aug, 2016
Physicians:
Amanda, 29, a Stevensville resident, and her husband felt extremely blessed upon the birth of their first son in 2010. However, when they decided to try for their second child things didn’t come as easy. Amanda had three miscarriages before becoming pregnant with their daughter Lyla. Amanda was provided exceptional and compassionate care for her and her family during that time, which is why she felt confident choosing BellaNova Women’s Health for her prenatal care during this pregnancy.
“The staff at BellaNova made me feel like I was more than just a number,” said Amanda.
Throughout Amanda’s pregnancy the team helped guide Amanda and her husband through their questions, concerns, and discussion about delivery options. Amanda asked if she was able to have a natural caesarean section with a clear drape, allowing her husband and herself to see their daughter being brought into the world.
“I wanted to watch my child be born and the clear drape made the birth a more personal experience, and less like a surgery,” said Amanda.
The day finally came and Amanda and her husband were ready to welcome their new baby. However during the cesarean section, Amanda’s blood pressure dropped, causing their daughter to become distressed. Immediately upon delivery, the baby was struggling to breathe and was rushed to receive oxygen. After a short while, she was stable, but still being closely monitored.
A scary and stressful situation was quickly eased with the help of the BellaNova team. Normally, babies are immediately placed on the mother’s chest after being born, but because of the complications Lyla hadn’t been.
“I didn’t know it at the time but the pediatrician was encouraged to allow us skin to skin for just a short period of time while Lyla was being monitored,” smiled Amanda. “I was able to hold my daughter for the very first time — that moment is one I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
The bond between mother and baby starts well before the actual birth, however it continues to grow in those sweet moments right after the baby is delivered.
Today, Lyla is a happy and healthy baby who continues to grow and thrive.
“The BellaNova team is fantastic, they supported me and put my mind at ease with their knowledge and compassion — I have and will continue to recommend every woman to BellaNova.”
The birth of a child is precious and memorable experience. Amanda and her family captured every second of baby Lyla’s birth in a birth diary. Watch Amanda and Lyla meet face to face for the first time below.
BellaNova Birth Video