Living Well - Summer 2015 - Beaufort - (Page 53)

attorney. "The appointments never took more than an hour. Having a very busy schedule, that was huge to me." During her pregnancy, Coppage needed multiple ultrasounds to monitor the development of her baby. The ultrasound equipment at the OB-GYN office is capable of creating 3-D images and live video of the baby in the womb. "It was fun watching the baby in real time," Coppage recalls. "Ben and I loved having the opportunity to see our baby grow and develop, and we were also reassured that all was well because of the extra precautions the doctors took." As the due date approached, the couple took advantage of some of the hospital's other obstetrics services. They took a free tour of the Birthing Center and enrolled in LifeFit Baby University's Gift of Motherhood, a series of classes covering labor and delivery, newborn care and nursing. "You concentrate so much on the pregnancy, you forget about what comes afterwards," Coppage says. "I had no idea what I was getting ready to do. The more I learned, the less scary it became." Helping new MoMs nurse To help prepare expectant mothers for nursing, Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists offers two prenatal breastfeeding classes in the final weeks of pregnancy. The classes are taught by BMH International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Pam Ehret, who brings to her new position at the hospital more than 40 years of breastfeeding education experience. "In the first class, you'll learn why it's important to breastfeed your baby," Ehret says. "The second class will cover how to do it." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with solid food until at least 12 months of age. In addition to teaching the classes, Ehret visits breastfeeding moms during their hospital stay to help with any issues that may arise. She also is available 24/7 on a "warm line." "We don't call it a 'hot line' because it doesn't need to be an emergency to call," she says. "No question is too small." The Birthing Center's warm line is 843-441-4586. A Labor of Love In the final two weeks of her son's gestation, Coppage began having Braxton Hicks contractions. Miller, who had become her primary OB-GYN, examined Coppage on July 19 and decided to induce labor two days later. Although he wasn't on call and was performing surgery that morning, Miller offered to stay and deliver the baby. "We checked in first thing in the morning," Coppage recalls. "The nurses got me settled in, and they couldn't have been kinder. "Things moved along slowly at first, but our son decided he was ready to make his entrance into the world more quickly than initially anticipated. However, I was never concerned, because the doctor and staff were right there with me the whole time." Benjamin Harris arrived at 3 p.m., a healthy 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Eager to get to know their son, the young parents chose room-in care. "The nurses coached me along through the first couple of feedings," says Coppage, who opted to nurse her baby for the first six months. "I really appreciated how much support they gave me." The new mom raved so much about the care she received, several of her pregnant friends made the switch, too. "I had such a good experience," Coppage quips, "I might even do it again." n CALL Baby on the Way To make an appointment with one of the four physicians at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists, call 843-522-7820. S UM ME R 2015 53

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Living Well - Summer 2015 - Beaufort