Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center is reporting a more than 20 percent boost in births at the hospital this year.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Shawn Osterholt, our facility has become very mom-centric, which is great for first time mothers, but it’s also bringing back second and third-time moms who want to stay closer to home and their families,” said Ben Merick, vice president of operations for Mercy Health – Springfield. “Add to that, we know proximity to a great birthing center is correlated with good outcomes, so we want to continue expanding the options available to women in our community.”
Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center safely delivered 301 babies in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 246 during the same time frame in 2022. Hospital leaders believe the upward trend is a side effect of the growing options available to support women throughout their pregnancy. In just the last year, Mercy Health has:
“Under the leadership of Dr. Shawn Osterholt, our facility has become very mom-centric, which is great for first time mothers, but it’s also bringing back second and third-time moms who want to stay closer to home and their families,” said Ben Merick, vice president of operations for Mercy Health – Springfield. “Add to that, we know proximity to a great birthing center is correlated with good outcomes, so we want to continue expanding the options available to women in our community.”
Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center safely delivered 301 babies in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 246 during the same time frame in 2022. Hospital leaders believe the upward trend is a side effect of the growing options available to support women throughout their pregnancy. In just the last year, Mercy Health has:
- launched a midwifery program that allows for expanded access to inpatient and outpatient care
- partnered with Ohio State University to introduce a maternal-fetal medicine program that brings specialists on site once a month to help women with high-risk pregnancies
- instituted a new policy allowing all obstetrical patients with a pregnancy-related complaint to bypass the emergency room waiting area and be seen by specialists on the hospital’s Family Birthing Center team.
“As caregivers, women often put others first instead of prioritizing their own health. We hope by expanding access to care in the local community, it will empower women to make their health a priority, even as they’re focused on growing their families,” said Dr. Osterholt, director of obstetrics at Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center.
Mercy Health – Springfield continues to be recognized as one of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care in recognition of its work to address clinical quality and equity issues for expectant mothers. This work includes providing classes that encompass education focused on childbirth, breastfeeding and essential baby care (i.e. diapering, feeding, etc.). During labor, Mercy Health offers a number of options to comfort women during the childbirth process including birthing balls, peanut balls, cub birthing stools, hydrotherapy and even wireless monitoring options that allow moms-to-be some freedom by not requiring them to be hooked up to a monitor at all times.
Once the new baby arrives, there are also additional care options available for those that need it. Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center offers a level II Special Care Nursery to provide care for babies born prematurely at 32 weeks or later. This level of NICU has neonatologists, nutritionists and specialized nurses on staff to provide care for these infants until they’re healthy enough to go home to their families.
“We believe every mother deserves a safe and healthy place to deliver their baby, and that’s why we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate maternity care. We are extremely proud of our program and the work being done to support moms throughout their delivery and beyond,” said Nicole Conley, nursing manager on the Mom and Baby unit at Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center.
Mercy Health is exploring additional women’s care options in the London, Enon and Urbana communities through the health system’s midwifery program and with the addition of Dr. Kelly Kirk, an OBGYN experienced in robotic surgery. This will expand upon services already offered by Mercy Health in the Springfield community including, but not limited to, minimally invasive surgery, ultrasound and vaginal rejuvenation that may benefit women experiencing issues that range from pelvic pain and infertility to pregnancy and menopause.
Mercy Health is proud to offer care for women at every stage of a woman’s life, from pregnancy to menopause. Learn more about our women’s health services or the maternity care available.
Once the new baby arrives, there are also additional care options available for those that need it. Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center offers a level II Special Care Nursery to provide care for babies born prematurely at 32 weeks or later. This level of NICU has neonatologists, nutritionists and specialized nurses on staff to provide care for these infants until they’re healthy enough to go home to their families.
“We believe every mother deserves a safe and healthy place to deliver their baby, and that’s why we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate maternity care. We are extremely proud of our program and the work being done to support moms throughout their delivery and beyond,” said Nicole Conley, nursing manager on the Mom and Baby unit at Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center.
Mercy Health is exploring additional women’s care options in the London, Enon and Urbana communities through the health system’s midwifery program and with the addition of Dr. Kelly Kirk, an OBGYN experienced in robotic surgery. This will expand upon services already offered by Mercy Health in the Springfield community including, but not limited to, minimally invasive surgery, ultrasound and vaginal rejuvenation that may benefit women experiencing issues that range from pelvic pain and infertility to pregnancy and menopause.
Mercy Health is proud to offer care for women at every stage of a woman’s life, from pregnancy to menopause. Learn more about our women’s health services or the maternity care available.