McLaren Better Birthing Experience

Courtesy Photo - Ke’mani Parker (baby), Kiara Johnson and Anthony Parker and Chef Shawn Smith

McLaren Greater Lansing Labor and Delivery unit has recently made some very exciting changes to enhance the labor and delivery experience for moms to be.

“Patient safety and satisfaction is our number one concern,” said Julie Wilbur, Manager of Labor and Delivery. “If we can make the birthing process more comfortable, then we are going to do that.”

Birthing Aids:

A major focus of the labor and delivery department is helping moms cope with labor. There are a number of tools that the department has to assist moms.

“We are always looking for new tools that help our patients while they labor,” said Wilbur. “We already have a number of tools such as birthing balls, birthing peanuts, squat bars, cub birthing stools, and much more. We have also recently been approved for nitrous oxide as a new method for pain relief and have Monica Novii wireless monitors.”

Celebration Meals:

Last October, the Labor and Delivery department worked with Morrison, the food service company at McLaren Greater Lansing to create a celebration meal program. The program provides new mothers and a guest gourmet meal, which includes the option of chicken, steak, or salmon, various sides, a cheesecake dessert, and a glass of sparkling grape juice.

After the birth of their daughter Ke’mani Parker, Kiara Johnson and Anthony Parker enjoyed their first meal as a family. Kiara liked the salmon with lobster sauce so much, she asked for the recipe.

“When Kiara requested the recipe for her celebration meal I was happy to hand-deliver the recipe to Kiara so that she and her family could have salmon dinners as Ke’mani grows up,” said Chef Shawn Smith. “All of the patients have great things to say and seem to really enjoy their first meal together as a new family.”

Bella Baby Photography:

If you have recently delivered at McLaren Greater Lansing, or know someone who has, you might have noticed a new photography company in the hospital. McLaren Greater Lansing has recently partnered with Bella Baby, a professional photography studio that specializes in newborn and family portraits. A photographer will visit new moms during their stay to capture some of the earliest moments they will share with their baby.

For more information or if you have questions about McLaren Greater Lansing’s labor and delivery department, visit, mclaren.org/lansingbirthcenter or call (517) 975-7300.

About McLaren Greater Lansing

McLaren Greater Lansing and McLaren Orthopedic Hospital operate the region’s most distinguished cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery programs that—together with McLaren Greater Lansing’s oncology, women’s care and wide-ranging diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services—consistently lead in clinical quality and efficiency. The hospitals are part of McLaren Health Care, mid-Michigan’s largest health care system. Visit mclaren.org/lansing.

About McLaren Health Care

McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Flint, Michigan, is a fully integrated health network committed to quality evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 12 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, the state’s only proton therapy center, an employed primary care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 250,000 lives, home health and hospice providers, retail medical equipment showrooms, pharmacy services, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of only 45 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive centers in the U.S. McLaren has 22,000 employees and more than 40,000 network providers. Its operations are housed in more than 350 facilities serving the entire Lower Peninsula of the state of Michigan along with a portion of the Upper Peninsula. Learn more at mclaren.org.

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