It’s the little things that deliver big smiles
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life – and at the BirthPlace in our Niles and St. Joseph hospitals, we want to make it a healthy time. Our family of obstetric and pediatric physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, midwives, and lactation consultant strive to continuously provide our moms, babies, and families a safe, nationally-recognized, and high-quality experience.
Some of the little things that make the BirthPlace a special space for you a baby:
- Access to pediatric specialists 24/7
- Experienced and loving health care professionals
- Intimate family-centered birthing suites
- Newly renovated rooms
- Online nursery for friends and family who can’t be present
- Daily serenity hours
- Continued support throughout your delivery until you depart home
- Ongoing new parent education
Your baby's safety is at the heart of what we do.
Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital proudly earned a platinum designation for maternal care from the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM). Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph also earned gold level designation, the second highest ranking.
MI AIM works with birthing hospitals to reduce and eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity. Hospitals implement structured “safety bundle” plans to improve health outcomes for mothers to combat the leading causes of maternal mortality such as obstetric hemorrhage and severe hypertension. Safety bundle plans help hospitals by defining actionable protocols, education, equipment, and drills to prevent and treat serious maternal events. Learn more.
The Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM), a nonprofit group comprised of Michigan’s largest employers and unions, has awarded Lakeland Hospitals with the 2022 Maternity Care Excellence Award for demonstrated excellence in maternity care and delivery outcome. The Niles Hospital received this award a third year in a row.
The awards are part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to decrease the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections, and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.
Sep 2, 2020 Reporting from Niles, MI
Support Through it All - Amber Zoschke
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/pregnancy-care/birthplace/Detail/support-through-it-all/?utm_source=Support_Through_it_All&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Sep 2, 2020
Sep 2, 2020
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Just a few weeks after the second birthday of her first son, 32-year-old, Amber Zoschke, was excited to learn she was pregnant again. But her excitement was mixed with nervousness after developing Type 2 diabetes, a condition that causes elevated blo
Support Through it All - Amber Zoschke
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
Support Through it All - Amber Zoschke
Sep, 2020
Physicians: Kenneth Kaufmann, MD.
Just a few weeks after the second birthday of her first son, 32-year-old, Amber Zoschke, was excited to learn she was pregnant again. But her excitement was mixed with nervousness after developing Type 2 diabetes, a condition that causes elevated blood sugar levels, following her first pregnancy.
Amber began researching local pregnancy care options and talking with friends and family. Initially, she had planned to give birth at the same hospital where her first son was born, but after continually hearing great things about the Lakeland BirthPlace in Niles and the care team at Southwestern Medical Clinic Center for Women’s Health, she decided to seek care there.
Amber scheduled an initial appointment and met with obstetrician and gynecologist, Kenneth Kaufmann, MD.
“I knew I could see a variety of doctors and nurses during my pregnancy but when I first met Dr. Kaufmann, I felt very comfortable with him,” said Amber.
Dr. Kaufmann explained that based on Amber’s previous medical history of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes, having one provider monitor her pregnancy would be best.
“It was an easy pregnancy to begin with but as time went on it became more difficult to manage my blood sugar,” said Amber. “Dr. Kaufmann was great throughout the entire experience. He monitored my condition closely.”
To help regulate her blood sugar, Amber was prescribed with an oral medication and an insulin pen. It wasn’t until her next appointment that Amber learned she was using the insulin incorrectly and not receiving the correct dosage of medication.
“Dr. Kaufmann made sure I understood what I was doing wrong,” said Amber. “I felt supported the entire time.”
Nearing 32 weeks pregnant, Amber began to get anxious about her delivery.
“Dr. Kaufmann reassured me that he would be there when I delivered and I had a great support team,” said Amber. “I felt like my baby and I were always a priority.”
With two weeks left until Amber’s due date, and her baby already weighing ten pounds, she was induced to ensure the safety and well-being of both her and her son, Payne. Dr. Kaufmann was by her side throughout the birth experience.
“The labor experience was wonderful,” said Amber. “My labor and delivery nurse, Sarah Maggert, [RN], was phenomenal. She made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“The entire nursing staff and everyone at the BirthPlace made a huge impression on me,” said Amber. “Having an attentive obstetrician and care team makes a world of a difference.”
Amber’s growing family is enjoying their time together at home.
“The labor experience was wonderful,” said Amber
“The entire nursing staff and everyone at the BirthPlace made a huge impression on me. Having an attentive obstetrician and care team makes a world of a difference," said Amber.
“It was an easy pregnancy to begin with but as time went on it became more difficult to manage my blood sugar. Dr. Kaufmann was great throughout the entire experience. He monitored my condition closely," said Amber.