SEATTLE — Welcoming your baby into the world is an exciting and unique experience, and choosing the right OB-GYN can ensure you get compassionate, expert support through your journey.
“I think it’s really important to talk to your community when you’re looking for a provider,” said Danielle Henderson, MD, executive medical director of Women’s Services at EvergreenHealth. “It’s first about finding that clinician that you want to find for your care.”
Dr. Henderson suggests talking to friends, doing online searches and checking with insurance to find the right provider for you. It’s also important to think about where you want to deliver your baby. This includes considering the equipment and services provided, including NICU and postpartum care, amenities, and doula support.
EvergreenHealth was the first baby-friendly hospital in the nation as recognized by UNICEF. The medical center also prides itself on providing expert, high-quality care.
“Everybody is just really a great team, so you feel like you’ve got the whole package when you come to the hospital, from when you begin the journey until when you end the journey,” Dr. Henderson said.
In April 2021, EvergreenHealth saw its highest number of baby deliveries in 50 years. The renovated Family Delivery Center offers 34 private refurbished labor rooms featuring state-of-the-art equipment, as well as 27 remodeled after-delivery rooms. The team consists of experienced labor nurses, OBs or midwives, OB hospitalists, and anesthesiologists.
EvergreenHealth also offers classes taught by certified childbirth and lactation educators who give you information to prepare for your labor and delivery, breastfeeding and caring for your newborn. It is also a level three B NICU, which means it’s equipped for subspecialty newborn care for babies born at 22 weeks gestation, as well as babies born with critical illness at all gestational ages.
“I think we just want to show the community that we want to provide excellent, safe care at our hospital, and we really want patients to feel that they’re part of our family when they come to the hospital,” Dr. Henderson said.
Visit the EvergreenHealth website to learn more about OB-GYN and women’s services.
Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.