Private. Comfortable. Secure.
From our 100% private rooms to your own personal view of the lake, you’ll experience the many differences that make Lakeview Medical Center the very best place for your delivery.
We understand that connecting with your family and friends is very important to you. This is why Lakeview Medical Center now offers public high-speed Internet access. Please bring your personal laptop with wireless Internet (WiFi) adapter. In addition, cell phones are permitted in the Birth Center area.
After your baby is born, we employ key security measures to ensure the safety of your growing family. A band is placed on every infant’s leg that activates a security system if the child is taken off the floor. The safety of you and your baby is our primary concern.
Managing Your Pain
Lakeview Medical Center offers patients several pain management options. Because every woman’s labor and delivery experience is unique, it is difficult to tell you exactly what your experience will be like. That is why it is wise to know what your options are so when you are in labor you can make an educated decision about your pain management care. LMC offers the following options:
- Unassisted pain management Some women prefer to labor without pain medication. Our staff is trained to offer support and encouragement to mothers who decline pain medication. Techniques to relieve labor pain include relaxation and breathing, changing positions often from sitting to walking to standing, massage, the use of a birthing ball, listening to music or focusing on an object.
- Use of intravenous medication This option involves the use of narcotic pain medication introduced intravenously to the mother during labor. This type of pain management is described as “taking the edge off" of contractions.
- Epidural anesthesia The use of epidurals for pain control during labor is a common practice in the United States. An epidural involves the placement of a fine tube that has been inserted through a needle in the lower back. Medications are then given through the tube to “numb" the lower half of the body. Epidurals are used during vaginal births and cesarean births. LMC is the only area hospital with full-time anesthesiologists and OB/GYN doctors on staff.
Doulas
A birth doula is a trained labor support person. She provides emotional, physical, informational and practical support to an expectant, laboring or postpartum woman and her partner. While not a medical professional, a doula offers a wide range of comfort measures during labor.
When you decide to include a doula on your birth team, you improve your chances of having a healthier and more empowering birth.
Dozens of research studies have conclusively shown that birth doulas not only help the mother emotionally, but also increase the chance of her having a healthier birth and newborn.
- Your risk of having a cesarean section, forceps delivery or episiotomy drops
- Your ability to cope with the pain improves, decreasing the possibility of needing pain medication
- Your relationship with your partner is likely to grow stronger
- You're more likely to succeed with breastfeeding your newborn
- You're more likely to be confident in your mothering skills
- You're more likely to view the birth experience in positive terms
- You're more likely to see your body as strong and capable
Doulas providing services at Lakeview Medical Center are Kathleen Evertsen of Chetek and Marguerite Stroede from Spooner. Each certified doula has more than 15 years of experience helping moms-to-be through the labor process.
To make an appointment with a doula at LMC, call 715-236-6215. One of the doulas will be contacted and will contact you directly to set up an initial meeting.
The doula will work with you to develop your individualized plan, which may include:
- Plans to accompany you to a physician visit
- Discussion of doula being present during the labor and delivery process
- A planned, post-delivery visit
The doula is available to you by phone so that she is readily accessible when the time comes.
The charge for doula services is $100 minimum. After four hours of labor, the charge is $25 per hour, with a $500 maximum. Fees are paid following the delivery and will be handled directly by the doula and the patient.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome to join you in your room after delivery and share in the joy of your newborn. We do encourage you to remember that your body needs to recover and your baby needs time to bond with you too, so keeping visits short is recommended.
Home Visits and Follow-Up Calls
After your stay at Lakeview Medical Center is complete, we’re still working to make certain you’re getting the care that you need. You will get a friendly call from one of our staff to follow up with you and the baby. Home visits can also be scheduled with your permission. These short sessions by our staff help you to smoothly make the transition from patient to parent.
Lactation Consultant
What is a Lactation Consultant?
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)--in other words, trained and certified breastfeeding specialists--help mothers breastfeed their babies in both normal and challenging situations. A lactation consultant is a specialist who has passed the IBCLC examination.
A Lactation Consultant's training is extensive. The IBCLC exam focuses on a wide range of physiological, emotional and pharmaceutical issues. Standards are set at a university level of difficulty, and one must meet specific eligibility criteria before being approved to sit for the certification exam.
Lactation Services at LMC:
We are the ONLY area hospital with a full-time certified lactation consultant on staff.
Lactation Consultants help with:
- Position and latch on challenges
- Potential milk supply challenges
- Concerns with infant intake and weight gain
- Education and assistance with breast pumps
- Assessment and management of breast and nipple problems such as engorgement, sore nipples, and breast pain, mastitis, breast augmentation and reductions
- Back to work issues
- Weaning issues
Lactation Services included at LMC:
- Prenatal education
- Initial assessment at hospital
- Follow-ups prior to discharge from the hospital
- Telephone support
- Ongoing assessments in-home are now offered
Links:
Please visit the following sites for more information:
- International Lactation Consultant Association http://ilca.org/
- For breastfeeding information, support, and attitude http://breastfeeding.com/
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners http://www.iblce.org/
- La Leche League International http://lalecheleague.org/
For Your New Baby
- Keepsake Baby Book:All babies born at Lakeview Medical Center receive a beautiful hardcover baby book. Shortly after birth, your baby's footprints will be placed in the book for you.
- Baby's Social Security Number: Parents have the option of working with our staff on filling out the paper work for a Social Security number and card for their newborn.
- Newspaper Birth Announcement: Parents can fill out a Newspaper Birth Announcement Form and have the information of the arrival of their new baby sent to local or regional newspapers or even to newspapers in other states.
- Take-home Information: All moms will be given a packet of information upon discharge that includes educational information and product samples. In addition, all moms receive a baby diaper bag.
Choosing a Pediatrician or Family Practice Doctor
Once you've had your baby you will need to choose a family doctor or pediatrician for your baby. Click here for help in choosing a doctor.
National Child Safety Technician Services
A Lakeview Medical Center Women’s Health professional completes a 40-hour class and extensive examination to become certified through Safekids. Safekids is a curriculum put together by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There is only one other Certified National Child Safety Technician in the Rice Lake area.
Certified car seat safety checks are done by appointment. Specializing in the proper use of child restraint systems and safety belts, our certified technician inspects the car seat and teaches parents or other family members to safely place the car seat and helps parents adapt car seats to meet their children's needs.
Anyone can call to make an appointment with LMC’s Safety Seat Technician at 715-236-6168. This is a great service for new parents or grandparents!