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New center welcomes region’s babies to world

Parents and staff members read the mural message on a wall in the new maternity center at St. Alphonus in Ontario. (The Enterprise/John L. Braese) Parents and staff members read the mural message on a wall in the new
maternity center at St. Alphonus in Ontario. (The Enterprise/John L. Braese)

By John L. Braese
The Enterprise

ONTARIO – St. Alphonsus Medical Center unveiled its new maternity ward with an open house last week.

Prospective parents and hospital employees toured the facility at the Sept. 13 event.

At a cost of over $3.2 million, the new ward covers 13,377 square feet and includes five labor, delivery and recovery rooms, one triage room, one recovery room and four postpartum rooms.

Unlike the previous unit, the new maternity area has an operating room.

“We expanded the size of the maternity ward to increase safety, added air curtain technology to increase stability of a sterile field for mothers, added room for two warmers and care providers, should extra support be needed,” said Leanna Bentz, hospital spokeswoman. “We also now have a wireless/Bluetooth speaker to allow us to play music of choice for delivery to help make the experience more soothing and personalized for mothers.”

The update increased room size for both newborns and their families, and each room has a private tub for labor support. The facility also features an updated waiting room and added security measures.

Now open, the new center is ready for expectant families, many of whom attended the open house. Some children born at the old ward were on hand to see the new facility.

Fundraising for the construction drew contributions from many local donors, including the Saint Alphonsus Founding Sisters Society, Saint Alphonsus Ontario Volunteers, Betty Marquina, Steve and Marissa Dominguez and John and Michelle Hart.