Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital caregivers delivered the first baby at the new facility on Sunday, Aug. 4, and he was quickly followed by 13 more babies over the next two days.
Betsy De Leon, manager of women’s services for the hospital, said parents Joseph and Ashley Giron welcomed Joseph Giron on Sunday. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 ¾ inches long.
For the hospital to have that many babies in two days is a little unusual, De Leon said. In the former hospital, they averaged 4-5 babies a day for about 1,600 deliveries in a year.
The increase is something De Leon expects to continue thanks to the hospital’s new location. “It’s so convenient right off Highway 58 and Interstate 70.”
About 190 families who are scheduled to have their babies at Lutheran or who are expecting and wanted a tour attended two events at the hospital before the opening Aug. 3. De Leon said families who are interested in scheduling future tours can do so online.
The new hospital offers 11 labor and delivery rooms, 19 mom and baby rooms for postpartum and two operating rooms. It also has a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit with 12 private rooms where caregivers can take care of babies born at 28 weeks or later.
“We can provide care for women wanting minimal interventions up to offering anesthesia support for epidurals 24/7,” De Leon said. Each of the labor and delivery rooms has a bathtub as well, and the team offers lactation support daily.
To learn more about the department, classes or register for a tour, please visit: https://intermountainhealthcare.org
