Mercy Hospital Ada celebrates expanded services for mothers and babies in our community with the addition of a certified lactation consultant and a transition to post-partum couplet care.
“At Mercy Hospital Ada, we want to do all we can to encourage confidence and support families in our care,” said Jamie Rankin, women and infant unit manager.
Couplet care is also known as “rooming-in.” This type of care keeps mothers and babies together in the same room during their entire hospital stay. Couplet care allows Mercy Ada co-workers to care for both mother and baby at the same time.
Benefits of couplet care include:
- Facilitates feeding as parents learn the baby’s feeding cues.
- Babies cry less and can be soothed more quickly.
- Mothers make more breast milk, as breastfeeding occurs early and often.
- Mothers get more rest.
- Parents gain confidence in caring for their baby while experienced staff is available.
- Babies can be monitored easily.
“Couplet care facilitates not only the relationship within the family but also with the nursing staff, allowing us to provide a more personalized experience,” said Rankin.
Anna Ritter, international board-certified lactation consultant and registered nurse, also gives the women and infant’s team an increased level of expertise, serving as a lactation consultant certified in inpatient obstetrics. Ritter will provide families with lactation support, best practices in maternity care, and optimal infant feeding techniques.
“Our team at Mercy Ada wants you to have the most amazing birthing experience possible,” said Rankin. “By adding lactation services and the couplet care for new mothers, we hope to create a very special and exceptional experience.”
For more information about Mercy Ada’s mother-baby services, call (580) 332-2323. Visit mercy.net/lactationada for helpful tips and more.
