Hospital offers new birthing gown to expectant mothers

With the help of a donation from the Cary Ladies Auxiliary, Cary Medical Center has added new birthing gowns for expectant mothers. The hospital's Maternal/Child Unit is the first in the state to offer this gown. From left are, front row: Jennifer Plante, BSN, RNC-OB, primary charge nurse; student Dahna Plourde; CNA and UMFK nursing student Stephanie Raymond; and three unidentified students. Back row: Dr. Maranda Record; Stephanie Graham, BSN, RN and UMFK adjunct clinical instructor; two unidentified students; Amanda Kingsbury and baby Aubree Grace; two unidentified students; Susan Miller, LPN III; and Dr. Wall. (Courtesy of Cary Medical Center)

CARIBOU, Maine — Jennifer Plante, BSN, RNC-OB, primary charge nurse at Cary Medical Center’s Maternal/Child Unit, announced the addition of the BG and CO birthing gown which will now be available to all expectant mothers who deliver at Cary.

“A baby’s birth is an exciting and intimate time for the whole family,” Plante said. “These birthing gowns, which patients will be able to take home after discharge from the hospital, can be worn not only during labor, but after delivery as well to encourage breastfeeding and skin-to- skin bonding.”    

“Our team has an outstanding reputation for providing compassionate care that meets the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of our patients,” she said.

A donation from the Cary Ladies Auxiliary, the hospital’s largest fundraising entity, funded the addition of the new birthing gown, which hospital officials said is “further evidence that the hospital wants to continue to find ways to enhance the birthing experience while still providing a high level of clinical quality, compassionate and personal, patient-centered care.”

“At BG and CO, we are dedicated to improving the well-being of body and mind by offering products that provide a world of comfort for every woman during her healthcare experience.  This mission and vision has given us a different way of looking at the traditional johnny coat,” said Cindy Lintel, the company’s owner and CEO.

“The Cary Medical Center Maternal Child team understands that it is important for moms to have the option of a gown that looks and feels like a luxurious dress and functions better than a hospital gown — a gown that was created to meet the medical needs of birth, and designed for her to feel comfortable, confident and capable, Lintel said.

“We are so excited for our new partnership with Cary, as I am sure their patients will be as well,” she said.

In recent years, Cary has seen dramatic growth in the number of deliveries.  In 2012 the hospital experienced the largest number of births in 17 years, and for each of the past six years Cary has experienced over 200 births. Additionally, the Women’s Choice Award has named Cary Medical Center one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics for the fifth year.