At Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) we are honored to share the wonder of birth with approximately 1,000 families each year, and pride ourselves in offering the best care every step of the way from our remarkable staff of obstetrical and neonatal professionals. In order to create a birthing experience that meets your every need, our staff will carefully consider your expectations and help you craft a birthing preference list consistent with your own individual needs. We'll work with you to create a family-centered experience and ensure you receive the highest quality maternity care.
LMH has received prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility. Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
To help you prepare for the birth of your baby, LMH offers a variety of childbirth and parenting education classes. Maternity tours can be scheduled on an individual basis by calling (220) 564-3388. Group stork tours will be implemented with the 2024 First Impressions Class Calendar.
Services Offered Include:
Labor & Delivery
Our professional Labor and Delivery staff provides family-centered care with up to date technology. Centralized maternal/fetal monitoring allows continuous assessment of both mother and baby while providing privacy to each patient and wireless monitoring technology allows mothers the freedom to move about during the labor process. Labor positioning devices and comfort measures are provided to help facilitate pain management and labor progress. Our comfortable birthing suites are designed with the conveniences of home, including a bathroom with shower, a wall mounted, flat-screen television and DVD player.
Special Care Nursery
In special circumstances, our Special Care Nursery provides a safe, secure environment for newborns. Specially trained registered nurses are available to provide care to ill newborns who require intermediate care. Pediatric provider coverage is available 24 hours, seven days a week to direct the care of infants born prematurely, as early as 32 weeks gestation, or infants who require medical assistance. We coordinate with neonatologists at Nationwide Children's Hospital on an as-needed basis to provide excellent care to infants. Extremely premature babies (less than 32 weeks gestation) and babies who require transfer for more intensive care oftentimes can return to Licking Memorial Hospital through our reverse-transfer program. This program allows newborns to grow and receive necessary medical treatment closer to family and loved ones, making travel less of a burden to new parents in our community.
Mother & Baby Services
Babies are primarily cared for in-room, allowing parents to care for their newborn in the comfort and privacy of their own room. The relaxed atmosphere of our postpartum unit allows parents to bond with their baby while our professional nursing staff provides support and the one-on-one education necessary to ensure a smooth transition home. The recommended model of care is called “Rooming-in," and allows new parents the opportunity to care for their baby as much as possible, observe procedures and ask questions. This also increases infant safety by decreasing separation of mother and baby. Nurses remain close by to provide assistance as needed. A certified lactation consultant is available for breastfeeding moms, and all nurses receive additional education on breastfeeding support.
Maternity Services also offers several unique services to new parents at LMH. This includes a chef-prepared gourmet dinner for new parents and the option of massage therapy for new mothers to assist in pain management and comfort, provided by a Licking Memorial massage therapist.
Outpatient Lactation Clinic
The Clinic provides support, education and assistance to breastfeeding mothers through individualized consultations with an International Board-certified Lactation Consultant. Our nursing staff is also trained in lactation support. Support services are available to all mothers, including those who delivered at other facilities. Services include assistance with latch difficulty, low milk production, insufficient weight gain, issues related to breastfeeding an older infant, and more. To speak with the lactation consultant or to schedule an appointment in the Clinic, please call (220) 564-4334.