Tennova Healthcare Is Keeping Moms and Babies Safe During the Pandemic

3/11/2021

The Birthing Center at North Knoxville Medical Center has welcomed more than 650 newborns since opening its doors last year

KNOXVILLE, TN (March 11, 2021) – The delivery of babies has been a happy event for the labor and delivery team at Tennova Healthcare’s North Knoxville Medical Center over the past year. Hundreds of infants have taken their first breath at the hospital and been a welcome sight in the midst of the global pandemic.

The Birthing Center at North Knoxville Medical Center has welcomed more than 650 babies into the world since opening on February 10, 2020. While the virus has changed many things in the world, the hospital’s birthing center and nursery are a pleasant constant—located in a separate, enclosed area to provide specialized care and services. A dedicated team of obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, and labor and delivery nurses work exclusively with the moms and babies through delivery and post-partum care.

“The joy of bringing a new life into the world is a wonderful constant and it’s a privilege to support the moms and babies who are counting on us,” said Leonard Brabson, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist with Tennova Women’s Health Specialists. “Our labor and delivery unit is a special place designed to keep them safe, with experienced staff and central fetal monitoring.”

Prenatal care remains critical and women are encouraged to stay in contact with their obstetrician or nurse midwife, and keep their appointments to be sure their pregnancy is on track. And once baby is here, regular visits to the pediatrician are important to help them thrive.

Tennova hospitals and physician clinics keep the safety of their patients as the top priority. Many actions have been taken to enhance infection prevention and support social distancing to maintain a safe environment during the pandemic.

When an expectant mom arrives at the hospital, she goes to the main entrance during 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. or to the emergency department after hours where staff will check her temperature, test for COVID-19 and complete a screening questionnaire. Women giving birth may have two support people and a certified doula during labor and delivery. After delivery, mom’s same two support people can visit for the remainder of her stay. No visitors will be allowed under the age of 14. For the safety of others, both visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms on admission and always wear a mask. They will not be allowed to trade out with other visitors and will minimize exits and returns. For more information about the safety plan at North Knoxville Medical Center, visit https://www.tennovanorthknoxville.com/covid-19.

“Safety is always a top priority for us and we are taking the necessary precautions for your protection,” said Jeanette Toney, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist with Tennova Women’s Specialists. “Our spacious birthing suites feature a labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) model that keeps mother and child together from admission to discharge. With our focus on comfort, safety and quality, we’re committed to providing the best experience possible during a stay with us.”

Labor and delivery at Tennova proceed as they always have and most adjacent procedures remain available. Tubal ligation after delivery is an option if a mother is negative for COVID-19 and circumcisions can also be performed. Breastfeeding is encouraged, even for moms who test positive for COVID-19 and can protect their infant by wearing a mask.

The Birthing Center at North Knoxville Medical Center offers a full spectrum of maternity services from prenatal to postpartum care, such as specialized care for C-section deliveries, lactation counseling and support, and educational resources to meet the needs of new parents. Services offered include fetal monitoring, midwifery care including water labor, and 24/7 anesthesiology services for medication and epidural administration during labor.

For more information or to take a virtual tour, visit TennovaNorthKnoxville.com/maternity-care-services. To find a physician or certified nurse midwife that delivers at North Knoxville Medical Center, call 855-TENNOVA (836-6682) or visit TennovaMedicalGroup.com.

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