TIMES OF INDIA,BANGALORE - FRIDAY April 4,2003
Swanky birthing suites for mothers-to-be
Its back o the 'home-delivery' concept of the good old days with enhanced levels of comfort for the mothers-to-be. City's Sagar Apollo Hospital has come up with an innovative birthing suite which provides for conducting delivery and undergoing post-delivery recovery as well as postpartum (after childbirth) in the same hospital room unlike the present system of moving the mother-to-be from room to room.

The State-of-the-art birthing suite, which has been developed on the traditional concept of delivery at home, provides home ambience in the hospital with space for family members, a kitchen and provision for either husband or support person to be present during delivery.

This helps the mother psychologically during delivery, claims Dr.Madan Gaekwad, Vice-President of Sagar Apollo Hospital.

Briefing presspersons on the new birthing suite, which is said to be the first of its kind in the country, Dr Madan said the suite as an easily adjustable labour bed while examination lights and medical equipment will be kept ready inside the suites cabinetry so that they could be set up within a few minutes. Painless labour (Labour analgesia) will also be available, he told media persons.

Each suite comprises a labour bed, private bath, blanket warmer, a lounge for support person and a small kitchen. Besides, it has been provided with comfortable furniture, telephone, computer with Internet connectivity, refrigerator, TV, stereo and DVD player. The delivery In this suite would cost around Rs 29,999/- for three days including all costs like medicine and food, he said.

However, the mother-to-be would have to be shifted to the operation theatre in case of high-risk and caesarean, he added.

The hospital has two such suites, which are popular in western countries, About Rs 15 lakh has been spent on providing main equipment to each of these rooms.