ARTICLE
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Introduces Birth Designer Program First in the Community to Offer Expectant Mothers a Personalized Birth Plan Contact Name: Kristina Sparacino Contact Email: kristina.sparacino@uhsinc.com Contact Phone Number: 941-782-2128 Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) Women’s Center is the first in the community to offer a Birth Designer to help expectant mothers create the personalized birth plan of their choice. The goal of the Birth Designer program is to deliver the most patient-centered care possible and to help educate expectant mothers and their support team on the tools they will need to stay safe and healthy during the prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods. Creating customized birth plans is a key component of the program. New parents also receive educational information from the Birth Designer and at childbirth classes regarding preferences that may aid in relaxation during labor and delivery. These include massage, visualization, breathing, music, etc., and decisions regarding whether to have an epidural for pain relief. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO, Andy Guz, added, “The Birth Designer program is a great addition to our Women’s Center and offered at no cost to expectant mothers delivering at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. This program was designed to ensure that the expectant mothers and their support team, staff and physicians are on board with the birth plan constructed for each individual.” Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Women’s Center Birth Designer, Chrissy Coney, RN, BSN, CLC, stated, “My role as a birth designer is to help deliver the most patient-centered care possible. Everyone – doctors, staff and patients – is involved with the birth plan constructed for each individual. Expectant mothers hear birth-experience stories from their friends and relatives, but they’re unfamiliar with the ‘behind-the-scenes’ process. We have a high standard of safety at LWRMC. If expectant mothers understand the entire labor and delivery picture prior to hospital admittance, they are better able to choose the best birth-experience pathway for them, based on their individualized desires and healthcare needs, and within the safety net of the hospital.” Chrissy Coney, RN, BSN, CLC, has over 11 years of experience with eight and half years as a Labor & Delivery Nurse. Chrissy earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida located in Tampa, Florida and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Salve Regina University located in Newport, Rhode Island. She resides in Lakewood Ranch with her husband and is excited to use her experience to help expecting mothers in the new Birth Designer role. The Women’s Center at LWRMC provides a dedicated nursery and neonatologist. For more information, call 941.782.2229. Visit lwrmc.com/birthdesigner or email: birthdesigner@lwrmc.com. Contact the LWRMC Birth Designer | https://www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com/services/womens-services/birth-designer/contact-form LWRMC Women’s Center | https://www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com/services/womens-services/birth-designer LWRMC Women’s Center Childbirth & Parenting Class Calendar | https://www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com/events-and-programs/childbirth-and-parenting-classes ### About Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is the hospital of choice for many families in the Manatee/Sarasota region. Since it opened in September 2004, the hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. The Gold Seal of Approval is recognized across the nation as a symbol of quality that shows the hospital's commitment to meeting certain performance standards. The hospital has also received consecutive 'A' ratings in Fall of 2018 for patient safety in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Patients at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center have access to a medical staff of more than 550 physicians and allied health professionals who practice in a comprehensive range of specialties and use the hospital's advanced medical technology. Among the members of the medical staff are surgeons whose specialties include cardiovascular, gynecological, spine and joint and reconstructive procedures. Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital is not liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.