The birth of a baby is an incredibly touching event in the life of every family. Parents begin to prepare for this meeting long before the newborn comes into the world. They arrange their home and buy clothes and other necessary items. Read more at i-dallas.
A key aspect at this stage is the choice of a maternity hospital. The comfort and safety of the expectant mother, as well as the first minutes of the newborn’s life, depend on the medical institution. Therefore, before taking the responsible step of choosing a specific maternity ward, it is important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
What to consider when choosing a maternity hospital?
Before, during, and after childbirth, a woman needs attention and care not only from her loved ones but also from qualified medical professionals. Thus, when selecting a good maternity hospital, it is advisable to focus on certain general criteria:
- Reputation. The opinions of women who have already given birth are extremely important. Since they have gone through all the stages that await expectant mothers, they can honestly and in detail share their experiences. One can read reviews about a particular medical institution on various forums or simply ask their friends.
- Location. The place where the maternity hospital is situated is just as important as its reputation, especially in cases where emergency medical assistance is needed.
- Pain relief and doctors’ approach to treatment. Some women prefer to give birth with anesthesia, while others seek natural ways to alleviate pain during labor. That is why, it’s essential to find out in advance how the obstetricians in each hospital operate and to look for those whose methods seem acceptable.
- Cost. Every family expecting a baby should know the price of prenatal and postnatal care. Additionally, some maternity wards offer insurance coverage. Thus, all financial matters should be discussed in advance to choose the option that suits best.
Many mothers also care about the conditions in which they will stay after childbirth. In such cases, postpartum rooms and care plans are additionally considered. The latter may include assistance with breastfeeding, parenting classes, etc.
Characteristics of Maternity Hospitals in the State of Texas
Overall, information about the development of obstetrics in the state is quite varied. Some sources claim that Texas is the worst place to prepare for childbirth. However, there are also many positive reviews from women who assure that everything went perfectly for them.
In May 2022, D Magazine published an article naming Texas the worst state in the country for giving birth.There were several reasons for this. First, Texas has one of the highest rates of newborn mortality. Statistics show that 5.5 out of 1,000 infants unfortunately die. Second, the state ranks fifth in the number of cesarean sections. Additionally, for many years, cities in Texas have been actively fighting against maternal mortality. Unfortunately, Texas has one of the highest rates of death of new mothers in the country. It is striking that Black women in Texas die during childbirth three times more often than white women, indicating significant racial discrimination. However, this situation can also be viewed from another perspective.
It is officially recorded that in 2022, nearly 400,000 women in the state’s cities experienced the joy of motherhood through natural childbirth. They left medical facilities happy, as their children were completely healthy.
The best maternity wards in the city
In Dallas, there are several hospitals known for their exceptional services for expectant mothers. Here are more details about them:
- Baylor University Medical Center. This medical facility is part of Baylor Scott&White Health. It has become popular among locals due to the high level of services provided to pregnant women. The hospital offers childbirth preparation classes, prenatal care, labor and delivery services, postpartum care and even neonatal intensive care. Additionally, the advantages of Baylor University Medical Center include state-of-the-art equipment and a team of qualified medical professionals who provide the best care for mothers and newborns.
- UT Southwestern Medical Center. This center employs the best obstetricians, neonatologists and nurses in the city. Each of them has many years of experience working with women and their babies. It is important to note that UT Southwestern Medical Center specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies and complications.
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. This medical facility is known for its spacious delivery rooms and bright postnatal wards, where not only new mothers but also their loved ones are always welcome. For instance, this hospital is popular among those who want to give birth with their partner. Moreover, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, nurses and consultants help women with breastfeeding.
- Medical City Dallas Hospital. Another hospital where local women feel extremely comfortable. Here, they are offered comprehensive care at every stage of pregnancy, as well as intensive care for newborns.
Parkland Memorial Hospital Maternity Ward
Probably, every local resident has heard of the maternity ward at Parkland Memorial Hospital. For over a century, the medical staff at this center has provided care to all women without exception, regardless of their social status or the complexity of their pregnancy. There are many interesting and happy stories in which the maternity ward at Parkland Memorial Hospital played a central role. Therefore, it is often referred to as the leading maternity center in Dallas.
Multiple pregnancies have become the norm for most maternity wards in the city. However, three times in the history of this medical facility, five babies were successfully born at once. The first time was on July 18, 1975, the second on June 8, 1998, and most recently, three girls and two boys were born on June 17, 2014. The happy parents were Dallas residents — 30-year-old Opaline and 27-year-old Rex.
To ensure that the woman’s delivery went as smoothly as possible, the doctors at Parkland Memorial Hospital put in considerable effort. Before giving birth, Opaline spent eight weeks in the hospital under close medical supervision. From April, doctors had been preparing for this significant event. They held numerous meetings to discuss which delivery and operating rooms should be available on the days when she might go into labor. They even created special lists of on-call nurses, doctors, pharmacists and even radiologists. It is safe to say that the staff at Parkland Memorial Hospital did everything possible to ensure that the arrival of five children went without complications. Indeed, everything turned out exactly as planned.
Such an unusual case shows what a professional and committed staff work at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Thanks to this and hundreds of other happy stories, this maternity ward can be highlighted as one of the best in the city.