July 8, 2006 was a joyous day, as I brought the newest member of my family into this world; a perfectly healthy, beautiful baby boy. I delivered my son at Northside Hospital’s Atlanta campus. Words cannot express the wonderful, knowledgeable and caring treatment my fiancé and I received on our special occasion.
Northside Hospitals are community-based hospitals – nonprofit – with fourteen locations throughout North Metro Atlanta and its surrounding communities. Their website boasts that they have more that 1700 physicians, 4,500 employees and more than 430,000 patients each year. They also rank first in the nation with more than 18,000 deliveries each year, and even won the Consumer’s Choice Award in 2005 for their Women’s/GYN and Maternity/OB Services.
The Northside Atlanta campus sits impressively at 1000 Johnson’s Ferry Road in beautiful Sandy Springs, GA, just 20 minutes north of Downtown Atlanta. This location provides such services to include Cancer Care, Surgical Services, Radiology, Emergency Services, Heart Health, Weight Reduction & Nutrition Services, Diabetes, Urology, Sleep Disorders, Clinical Trials, Pain Treatment, Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation and Women’s Services.
The Women’s Center has its own separate entrances on the East side of the Hospital, located on Hollis Cobb Circle, across from the parking deck. You can enter from either of its two entrances, as well as gain access from the main Hospital.
The first floor, or Atrium Level, boasts a huge atrium with vaulted ceilings and skylights, spiraling double staircase leading to the second floor. A coffee café, ATM’s and vending machines await hungry snackers There is even a 24-hour McDonald’s on the premises so dads don’t have to stray too far from mom’s beside!
A Women’s Place Boutique is also located on the first floor. You can either have a certified trained consultant assist you with your purchases and fittings, or simply browse and shop at your leisure. This boutique offers specialized care exclusively to women. There are post-natal services and supplies, such as nursing bras and breast pumps, lingerie and lactation consultants. It also carries wigs and headwear for cancer patients, skincare products, post breast surgery items and equipment, compression garments for conditions such as varicose veins and Lymphedema, and of course, gift packages of jewelry, aromatherapy and other products. Your gifts can even be customized and ordered in the boutique or you can place an order by telephone.
The Women’s Center’s circular driveway has ample space for expectant fathers to park while getting mom situated directly ahead at the admissions desk on the second floor. The Admissions area offers ample seating for expectant mothers while checking in at the Admissions desk, as well as accommodations for all the visitors anticipating your new baby’s arrival.
During delivery, you will be in one of their many private birthing rooms. Each room is equipped with an entertainment armoire including a TV, VCR and small stereo with a CD player and tape deck. There are comfortable chairs, a rocking chair and a cushioned window bench for sleepy dads. Each room also has a private bathroom, and of course, all the supplies and equipment necessary for the birth and care of your newborn. There are also pre-op rooms with the same amenities for moms scheduled for a C-section delivery.
After delivery, your stay in a private room (they are phasing out the last of their semi-private rooms), and dad can stay with you on a fold out sleeper chair next to your bed. All the while, the nurses and staff are very courteous and attentive. Lactation consultants will assist you, your new baby can have it’s photo taken, you can apply for WIC (a federal Women Infant and Children program that gives you the baby formula of your choice and nutritious foods for postnatal mothers), and also apply for your child’s birth certificate and social security card. You’ll receive tons of informative literature on newborn care and a list of phone numbers in case you need assistance during your first few days and weeks at home with your new baby.
If you’re not pregnant yet and need some guidance, or if you’re expecting and needs some guidance, or if you’re just in need of guidance regarding anything about before, during and after pregnancy, there are educational classes, support groups and newsletters available from Northside’s MothersFirst: Maternity Services program. And even if a baby is nowhere in your future, there are also programs by WomenFirst: Women’s Health Services for women over 40 with an emphasis on wellness and prevention.
Hands down, Northside Hospital’s Women’s Center, and their maternity services in particular, is a wonderful place. For anyone who lives in the Metro Atlanta area and is expecting, I highly recommend you give Northside a visit. You’ll be glad that you did.
