birthing
The Birthplaces uses modern rooms for mothers and babies , replacing the three-room setup in older building designs : labor , delivery and recovery .
Mothers needing instruction or help with feeding can get help from the hospital ’ s lactation expert , Knight said . “ That ’ s a big help to moms ,” she said .
Not everyone can race the stork to the Birthplace and win . SGMC Health operates small local hospitals in Lanier and Berrien counties as well as the Smith-Northview Hospital in north Valdosta . If someone shows up at those facilities about to give birth , the staffs at those spots have been trained in making emergency deliveries , to be followed by stabilizing the baby and getting them as fast as possible to the Valdosta center , Knight said .
Many of the children at The Birthplace are military babies thanks to its proximity to Moody Air Force Base . Knight
Maximiliano Elijah Hernandez rests in the South Georgia Medical Center nursery .
His mother is Margarita Moreno
Mandujano .
said the birth experience can be video livestreamed to a military husband in the field who couldn ’ t be there for the birth .
The Future of The Birthplace
Recently-approved expansion plans for South Georgia Medical Center include an entire patient tower just for women and children ’ s concerns . The new tower is expected to be open by fall-winter 2026 , Bennett said .
“ It means a lot more real estate ,” Knight said . Among the improvements will be larger upto-date rooms , all with windows ( some of the current Birthplace rooms are windowless ), a dedicated NICU separate from the nursery , and a dedicated entrance — no more going through the emergency room doors .
“ Most people don ’ t like going to the hospital ,” Gordon said . “ We ’ re different from other departments because people are happy to be here .”
12 Valdosta Scene | May 2024