Regions Birth Center: "The best place for anything to happen"

Michelle Simmons had carefully planned the birth of her third child, but her plans were upended at a routine ultrasound when a medical technician became concerned with the baby's heartbeat. Michelle was rushed to Regions for closer observation. "The hospital staff reassured me I was in the best place for anything to happen. That put me at ease," Michelle said.

The next day, nearly two months before her due date, Michelle gave birth to daughter Malia by an emergency C-section. At three pounds, one half ounce, Malia spent her first weeks in Regions neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Because Michelle experienced blood pressure spikes, she also stayed longer than normal.

" Our family is super grateful to Regions for the whole experience," Michelle said. Michelle appreciates the way staff members greeted her husband and two sons by name and how they brought her food to the NICU when she visited Malia. Regions doctors also called Michelle at home regularly after she was discharged to give her updates on Malia's progress in the NICU.

To further support families like Michelle's, Regions is building a new family birth center with the help of charitable contributions. The new facility will mid-July.

In addition to adding more rooms, larger birthing suites and dedicated space for visitors, the new facility will provide a level of care that is unique in the Twin Cities. Our new NICU will allow us to care for higher-risk babies and will be the only local NICU to have a private family space with a bathroom in every room. We will also be the only hospital in the Midwest to offer enhanced couplet care, which allows high-risk moms and high-risk babies to be cared for in the same room, improving outcomes for both.

Michelle and husband Arthur are glad they chose Regions for Malia's delivery, despite the fact that they live in Richfield, across the metro area from the hospital. Michelle had previous experience at Regions: her sister gave birth there and her father received care for a heart condition. "I felt a connection to Regions," she said. "They understand the needs of patients."

Malia is over a year now and doing great. "She has the best personality ever, the biggest smile, and is super bossy and friendly," Michelle said. Michelle credits the Regions staff for helping her get through the challenges of Malia's birth. "They gave me the light of hope that everything would be okay. "