Labor & Delivery
Heidi Ramke, BSN, CLC, RNC-OB; Ashley Rachal, LPN; Kaylee W. Broussard, RN, BSN, OB Nursery Manager; Ahni S. Wiggins, RN, BSN
At Abbeville General Hospital, you will experience the comforts of home within the safety and security of a hospital setting. Our staff treats you like family from the moment you arrive.
Labor and Delivery
Our unit contains two private LDR rooms in which you will labor, deliver and recover. Even with risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure, Abbeville General can provide the required specialized care and tests ordered by your physician to ensure a healthy outcome for the mother and baby. Cesarean sections are done in our main operating room, located adjacent to our unit. We encourage immediate skin-to-skin for all types of deliveries. Together with your doctor and nurses, we can provide information and guidance on the benefits of early bonding. Every expectant mother can feel comfortable and secure knowing that her birthing experience will be the safest and most rewarding possible.
Pain Management Available
Birth happens around the clock and our anesthesia providers are available around the clock, too. We provide a wide range of pain management techniques including epidurals, spinals, intravenous analgesics, nitrous oxide and non-pharmaceutical options as well. We strive to make your labor, delivery, and postpartum experience as comfortable as possible.
After delivery
After you deliver, you will be moved to one of our four postpartum rooms just down the hall.
Our postpartum rooms include a sleeper sofa for your overnight guest.
In these postpartum rooms, you and your baby will receive specialized, family-centered care.
We practice rooming in so that families can spend as much time together and be involved with decision-making and newborn care.
Newborn Care
After delivery, a nurse specialized in infant care will help you care for your baby right at your bedside.
They will help you become accustomed to the daily care of your newborn and help to educate the entire family to make your transition home as easy as possible.
If your newborn needs specialized care or additional support, we have a newborn care room within the labor and delivery unit.
Breastfeeding
As a GIFT designated hospital, we practice evidence-based maternity care that has been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. While breastfeeding is natural, it is not always easy. We have two certified lactation counselors available for inpatient and outpatient assistance to help your newborn get the best start possible.
Eat Leauxcal Program
The Eat Leauxcal program aids in the initiation and exclusivity to provide breastmilk to the babies of our community. In this program, patients are able to earn a star for each successful breastfeeding milestone, including, the initial latch, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours, to assist you in providing optimal nutrition throughout your stay at Abbeville General. After initiating skin-to-skin, we help you to try to initiate the first latch within the first hour or shortly after. Within 6 hours of the first good feeding, its best to latch every 2-3 hours when awake and every 3-4 hours at night. This promotes 8-10 good feeding throughout each day. Patients who obtain all 4 stars can trade them in for a prize.
Prenatal Education
Abbeville Gneral Hospital offers prenatal education throughout the year. For any expecting mothers interested in one-on-one prenatal education session, please contact Chelsie Domingues, RN in our Labor & Delivery unit at (337)898-6450 to schedule an appointment.
Safety for You and Your Baby
We place special ID bracelets to match mother, infant and support person of the mother’s choice immediately after birth and are worn until discharge.
Our infant security system and keypad entry system provide an added measure of security.
Celebration Meal
A celebration meal is offered to new parents after the birth of their baby before they are discharged.
This gourmet dinner for two allows mom and her support person to take a moment to celebrate all that life has to offer.
The specially prepared meal offers a choice of ribeye, chicken cordon blue, or seasoned baked catfish with a selection of delicious sides and decadent desserts either at lunch or dinnertime.
This is surely a meal to be remembered and cherished.
Safe Sleep Resources
What Does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?
Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Every Nap & Every Night | American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained – HealthyChildren.org