At University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center, new moms and babies enjoy the beauty of a stress-free delivery

By Laura Briedis

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes teamwork to deliver a baby into the world.

At University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital on the campus of UH TriPoint Medical Center, the medical team is comprised of board-certified obstetricians, pediatricians, neonatologists, anesthesiologists and nurses, as well as dedicated respiratory therapists, childbirth instructors, lactation specialists and social workers.

Lake Health joined University Hospitals in 2021 with a priority to resume Level II maternity and newborn care in Lake County. The first step was consolidation of maternity care sites to UH TriPoint in early 2023. This past fall, UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital began operating the maternity and newborn services at UH TriPoint Medical Center. This brings together one team that offers expert care for both babies and moms living in Lake County, Ashtabula County and surrounding counties.

“UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital started operating the maternity unit last fall, so you don’t have to travel far for exceptional care. We are continuing to invest in this unit and are working to re-establish the Level 2 special care nursery services by this summer,” says Jennifer Carpenter, Chief Nursing Officer, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and UH MacDonald Women’s Hospitals.

“These improvements mean more families can stay close to home for advanced care,” says Jennifer C., whose distinguished nursing career has spanned 32 years at University Hospitals. “If the mother needs a little extra medical attention due to preterm labor or care needed for her delivery, she will be able to stay here at UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital on the campus of UH TriPoint Medical Center rather than going downtown to the main campus. We will also be able to provide extra care for babies who need closer monitoring. For example, babies who are born prematurely may need additional help with breathing support. And the great thing is, we are only 25 minutes from Cleveland should a baby require more intensive care in our Level IV NICU at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.”

“With this improvement, we will be able to care for babies 32 weeks gestational age and above at UH TriPoint Medical Center,” adds Jennifer DiGeronimo, nurse manager for UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital on the campus of UH TriPoint Medical Center.

These special care nursery rooms will be equipped with an incubator, ventilator and other advanced medical equipment. Just as importantly, there is room for family to be in the same room and interact with the baby in a private, comfortable setting.

“We will have dedicated nurses specializing in neonatal care in the special care nursery rooms,” says Jennifer D., who has been in nurse management for 17 years after growing her roots as a nurse at UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital’s downtown campus. “I love to care for women and children, and I am fortunate to be able to be part of such a momentous time in people’s lives.”

Just like in the special care nursery, high-tech is coupled with high-touch in all of the regular birthing rooms, as the staff helps nurture the mother-child bond from the moment the baby is born.

Moms labor, deliver, recover and spend postpartum in the same private room, so they never have to move. Though there is all the medical equipment needed for birthing, the spacious rooms are juxtaposed with homey touches like wooden headboards, wall sconces, big windows that let natural light stream in, and room for overnight accommodations for a spouse or support person.

Here, there is an emphasis on mother-baby bonding, breastfeeding and other proven maternity care practices that are beneficial to mother and baby.

“Being part of the University Hospitals network, we all follow the same quality standards and focus on evidence-based care for mothers and newborns,” Jennifer C. says. “Our goal is to provide a safe and beautiful delivery for mom and babies.”

University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital on the campus of TriPoint Medical Center is located at 7590 Auburn Road in Concord Township. You can learn more at UHhospitals.org/locations/university-hospitals-tripoint-medical-center or make an appointment by calling 440-496-6058.