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Moms who give birth at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center will now have an even more comfortable and relaxing space as renovations in the Mother Baby Unit have been completed.
One major update was building two additions onto the existing 1953 hospital building, creating space in six of the 10 rooms for large bathrooms with a toilet, sink and walk-in shower to offer moms, dads and visitors more privacy and convenience.
“We are very fortunate to take part in such an important experience in a woman’s life, and if we can give her some comfort, privacy and space, that will all contribute to her having the best post-delivery experience possible,” Chief of the LRMC’s Division of Women’s Health and Newborn Care Col. Sandra Hernandez said during a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 25. Hernandez explained that during busy periods some moms may share a room or may be assigned to the four remaining original rooms, which have a toilet and sink in the room or a Jack and Jill full bathroom, which is a bathroom shared between two patient rooms.
Each renovated room also has space for baby bassinets near the bed and even in the restrooms so mom can choose to keep baby nearby while she showers.
“The staff here has been so nice and the room is awesome,” said new mom Angela Bowman. “It’s been great to have so much space even in the bathroom and shower so my husband can help me, especially right after the birth when walking and standing can be a little hard. At one point we were in there with two nurses and I can tell you that four people fit pretty comfortably.”
Dad Joshua Bowman shared his story of a European joking with him about how Americans like their space so much that they like to dance in their bathrooms. “We actually could dance in this one!” he said.
In addition to the Mother-Baby Unit renovation, the Labor & Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic are also being outfitted with upgraded décor to bring a soothing feel to the areas. Patients will see new artwork on the walls, ceiling display tiles with a relaxing cloud motif, window treatments and patient privacy curtains.
Although the LRMC facility is the oldest in Army Medicine and a new facility is being built, hospital Commander Col. Timothy Hudson explained that it still makes sense to renovate.
“We continue improving and maintaining LRMC until the day we move to make this the best 1953 building possible for our patients,” said Hudson. “Every patient deserves the best that we can give them today.”
The project, which took eight months of construction, came in ahead of schedule thanks to Regional Health Command Europe Architect Sandra M. Ploch and her expertise in healthcare architecture. Ploch worked with LRMC leaders and the Labor and Delivery staff to create the design layout concept and project package, incorporating German and American building standards. Her work saved a year of additional planning and design work that typically would have been contracted to an outside company.
