STHS McAllen Celebrates 100+ Births in October
Celine Ariela Cavazos arrived as a sweet Halloween surprise, born more than two weeks early on October 31. Her stats? Six pounds and one ounce, 19 inches long … and the 100th baby delivered in October at the Maternity Center at South Texas Health System McAllen.
“It was all very unexpected, but such a nice surprise,” says Miranda Cano of the arrival of her first child. “I was supposed to give birth on November 18th, but Celine had other plans! It feels incredibly special.”
Celine was one of six babies born at STHS McAllen on Halloween Day this year. The increase in deliveries reflects our unwavering commitment to providing quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve.
"It’s a profound honor to be part of these significant moments in the lives of so many families,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, South Texas Health System. “This milestone reaffirms our commitment to providing quality, compassionate care while helping nurture the next generation to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive."
Choosing a maternity care provider
If you are newly pregnant or planning to start a family, you’re facing one of the first – and most important – decisions in your journey as a parent: Who should you trust to provide care during pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period?
Here are some things to consider:
- Experience level of doctors and nurses
- Comfortable birthing environment (Tip: Request a tour for an in-person look.)
- Availability of childbirth education as well as postpartum resources
- Services for high-risk pregnancies
- Availability of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Lactation support
Maternity services at STHS McAllen: Focused on you
At the Maternity Center at STHS McAllen, specialized nurses are trained in a range of skills that put new parents’ minds at ease:
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Basic, intermediate and advanced fetal monitoring
- Triage, charge, surgery and recovery care
- Perinatal, lactation and postpartum education
- Early baby care, including postpartum depression
Beyond providing clinical excellence, staff at McAllen recognize that parents-to-be have individual goals, concerns and dreams regarding childbirth. We give our families the kind of personalized care and attention that makes your baby’s birth a truly memorable experience. New parents love amenities such as:
- Dedicated labor and delivery entrance for speed and convenience
- Comfortable, private birthing rooms
- Special meals
- Online parenting website
Prioritizing your baby’s safety and health
Each year, nearly 10% of babies born in the United States are admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common reasons? Premature births/low birth weight, breathing problems and infection.
Just steps from the labor and delivery suites, STHS McAllen is home to a Level III NICU. The first in the Rio Grande Valley when it opened more than 25 years ago, the NICU continues to offer neonatal care, including intensive care services performed by skilled surgical teams.
“Choosing a maternity center is important; it involves trust and confidence,” says Graciela Moreno-Chavana, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Director of Women’s Services & Nurseries, The Maternity Center at STHS McAllen. “We’ve been an integral part of the Rio Grande Valley community in this same location since 1985, with an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients and community.”