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The decision to have a baby is a big one — but deciding where to have your baby may be almost as important.
According to the popular parenting website The Bump, finding the best labor and delivery hospital is key to having a positive birthing experience. When you're welcoming your child into the world, you want to do it in an environment that's comforting and supportive.
Yes, insurance matters. And yes, ideally, you want a good relationship with your doctor or OB/GYN. But in the end, most of your experience will come down to the hospital or location you choose.
That's why for 146 years, women have been delivering their babies at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Formerly known as Holy Cross Hospital until 1995, this hidden gem on South Temple in Salt Lake has proudly carried on a legacy of trust for generations.
"We're a community hospital. We're here for the community," said Tammy Clark, Director of Business Development at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. "We like to say that your care is our specialty."
Here's why you'll want to consider having your baby at their beautifully remodeled maternity unit.
Give birth at an updated, beautiful, private facility
Though it's always been a popular place for delivering babies, the recent renovations make Salt Lake Regional Medical Center an even more enticing choice. It has everything you could possibly want in a maternity unit, including:
- Eight spacious labor and delivery rooms
- 15 private postpartum suites
- A private waiting room for family and friends
- A fully-staffed nursery
- An infant security system
- An OR on the same floor for cesarean section deliveries
Every room includes natural lighting, a foldout bed for your significant other, and warm blankets to ensure your ultimate comfort. The private suites are designed to provide plenty of space for you to rest, recover and bond with your new baby.
They even offer a gourmet candlelight celebration meal for two after your baby is born. You and your significant other will be treated to a fancy, five-course meal made by an in-house chef.
Of course, the real selling point might just be the new slushy machine by the nurses' station. (Any woman who's ever been in labor or given birth would agree.)
To fully appreciate all that the maternity unit has to offer, be sure to schedule a private tour.
Get personalized patient care from experienced professionals
At Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, you receive personalized care from nurses who love their jobs and have been there for decades.
Lisa Maxfield, a Surgical/OB Tech who's worked at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center for 33 years says there's a reason why people choose to deliver there over other hospitals.
"We have more of a family feel," she said. "We actually have time to spend with the patients and get to know them on a personal level."
Heather Erickson, an RN with 25 years at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center agreed. "Even if we are busy, patients all say, 'I felt like I was given personal care.' Patients would never know how busy we are."
Even the doctors are choosing to have their babies here. Felicia Katz, an OB/GYN who's delivered at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center for almost seven years, had both of her children there and would happily do it again.
"It was a phenomenal experience," Katz said. "My favorite thing about Salt Lake Regional Medical Center is how personal the experience is. You have a lower ratio of patients to nurses, so you get a lot more personalized attention. It feels like home — quiet, zen. All the benefits of a birthing center but with all the safety of a hospital."
According to Katz, the facility's strong suit is giving patients the ability to have the birthing experience that they want. Whether that includes working with a doula, getting an epidural, laboring in a soaking tub or wandering the halls, you'll receive support and encouragement.
"You can tailor that experience to whatever you want it to be," Katz said.
Here's what patients are saying
While many good things can be said about the facility and staff, the patients' experience is what really matters.
"I had a wonderful experience at Salt Lake Regional," said Whitley Henriod, a recent patient.
"This was my first childbirth experience, and I needed a C-section since my daughter was breech. I didn't know what to expect and was very nervous, but everyone was so friendly from the beginning and put me at ease. The doctors were competent and knowledgeable. The nurses were so helpful and encouraging during the worst times of my healing. I would love to have my next child at Salt Lake Regional."
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center provides prenatal care to all who need it
From the moment you discover you're pregnant to the unforgettable day you give birth, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center is there to support you—and this is true for anyone who needs prenatal care.
Are you pregnant and looking for an OB/GYN? Contact their team to make an appointment.
Do you speak a different language? Bilingual OB/GYNs and staff are available.
Are you a first-time parent who's nervous about breastfeeding? Salt Lake Regional Medical Center participates in the Stepping Up For Babies program, which specializes in guiding new mothers through the breastfeeding process. (A lactation specialist is also available if needed.)
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center will assist in signing up patients to the Baby Your Baby program. This program provides temporary medical coverage to low-income pregnant women who qualify. (To learn more about this program and Medicaid coverage, visit the Utah Department of Health website.)
Whatever your questions, fears, or frustrations may be about having a baby, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center will help you address them.
Schedule your free private tour of the maternity unit today
Now that you've heard all about Salt Lake Regional Medical Center's private, beautiful maternity unit, come check it out for yourself. Right now, the hospital is offering free private tours for anyone who wants to see it for themselves. (Note: Salt Lake Regional Medical Center takes special care to protect patient privacy, so group sizes will be limited to prevent interfering with care.)
But if you do schedule a private tour, be forewarned—you'll be hooked. According to Maxfield, every person who's ever taken a tour immediately falls in love with the facility.
"I've never given one tour where they haven't chosen to deliver here after (having) the tour," Maxfield said.
To learn more about why patients are choosing Salt Lake Regional Medical Center to deliver their babies, call 801-350-4078 to schedule your free private tour of the maternity unit today, or visit Salt Lake Regional's maternity services webpage for more information.
