maternity care

You’re Having a Baby …

A special place for a very special event

A tiny heartbeat. Fluttering movement. Little fingers outlined on an ultrasound. For nine months, you dream of the day when you can finally hold your little one. Before the first hug, you have to choose someone you trust to guide you through pregnancy and the right place to bring their little one into the world. Rome Memorial Hospital is that place.

We understand that few events in life generate as much excitement for a family as the birth of a child.  Our experienced and caring staff at Rome Memorial Hospital works hand-in-hand with you to help make your experience a memorable one.

Babies at Rome Memorial Hospital are delivered by four obstetricians, Ankur Desai, M.D., Lauren Giustra, M.D., Juana Sainez, M.D., and Paul Temple, M.D; a and four certified nurse midwives, Nancy S. Peek, NP, CNM, Betty Guisinger, NP, CNM, Diana Fitzgerald, CNM, and JoAnn Roberts, RN, MS, CNM.  Approximately 600 babies are delivered at Rome Memorial Hospital annually.

Birthing Rooms Focus On Comfort 

When we renovated our maternity unit, we integrated modern technology with comfort.  Our three birthing rooms are home-like and tastefully decorated with state-of-the-art equipment conveniently tucked away behind decorative furnishings. 

Our birthing beds are easier on you than a delivery table and even dad has a more comfortable place to rest.   If he gets the chance, he can sit back in a reclining lounge chair that opens into a bed so he is close by to give his partner support.  Dads are encouraged to participate in the birthing experience.

Our maternity nurses will introduce you to innovative birthing techniques to help you through labor. During labor, you can sit birthing ball or stool to foster the process of labor through natural positioning. The ball is particularly effective in reducing tension in the back.  You can sway side to side, forward and back, and round and round to relieve some of the pressure.

With the help of these techniques, you have a better chance of having your baby naturally.  The natural positioning tools can shorten the pushing phase and, in some cases, reposition a baby that is head down but facing the wrong direction.

Implementation of the birthing balls is one of the strategies that helped to significantly decrease our C-section rate to one of the lowest in the region.

pain control available

You have several options for pain control during labor including epidurals or other medications available through injection.  With an epidural, the pain is virtually blocked during labor, but you still maintain muscle control for the baby's delivery.  

nurses provide tlc & baby care tips

Our nursing staff has years of experience as health care professionals, and in many cases as parents themselves.  They are committed to providing personal attention to help new parents gain confidence in their infant care skills.  After your delivery, you can choose to have your newborn in the room with you rather than in the nursery.

We have a certified lactation consultant on staff to help you with any breastfeeding questions.  Breastfeeding support is provided even after delivery with a weigh-in station to help give you peace of mind and monitor your baby’s health.  The lactation consultant is available to weigh your newborn, answer your questions and offer you encouragement. The first weigh station appointment can be made when you are discharged.

In addition to bedside teaching, educational videos are available on many topics including breastfeeding, infant care, and CPR.

security measures

In order to ensure the security of our Maternity Unit, we have a, state-of-the-art security system with surveillance cameras. Several hospital policies enforce security measures for moms and newborns. Our staff routinely reviews these policies and has drills in order to ensure that these procedures are followed in the event of an emergency.

a little something for you

In celebration of your baby’s birth, Rome Memorial Hospital will present you with a gift certificate to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  It’s our way of saying congratulations and thank you for sharing your special event with us.

before the Big day

The hospital also has experienced labor and delivery nurse on staff that teaches childbirth classes regularly to help mothers-to-be and their coaches prepare for the big event.  Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding classes are also available every other month.  Check our education calendar for more information.