LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For the first time in nearly 50 years, expecting mothers in south Louisville will have labor and delivery services close to home.
UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is undergoing a $20 million project to bring labor and delivery services to the Hazelwood neighborhood. The health care facility at 1850 Bluegrass Avenue is adding "The Birthing Place," which allows for patients in south Jefferson County to not travel so far for maternity services.
"It doesn't matter what your resources are or what zip code you live in, there is truly a right to great health care," said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO.
The Birthing Place at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is bringing labor & delivery services to south Louisville for the first time in 50 years. Renovations to nearly 21,000 sq. ft. of existing space is expected to start in December with opening expected in 2025 @wdrbnews pic.twitter.com/K3oTyfWypi
— Christie Battista WDRB (@CBattistaTV) October 11, 2023
The hospital serves some of the zip codes with the highest birth rates in Jefferson County. It's the only hospital in Louisville west of Interstate 65. The last time a child was born at the hospital through a planned delivery was 1974.
"Now, more women will be able to deliver their newborns close to home and under exceptional care," said Melisa Adkins, CEO of UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.
Louisville Metro Government allocated $8.25 million of funding for the project. The project includes renovations to the nearly 21,000 square feet of existing space near the main entrance that will have eight Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum suites.
"This is long overdue and certainly a huge need on this side of town," said Cindi Fowler, Louisville Metro Councilmember (D-14).
There will be 8 birthing suites in the new facility. The suites will focus on both natural and traditional childbirth. The rooms will feature a spa-inspired labor tub area and a private bathroom/shower room. The birthing center include a C-section suite, a well-baby Level 1 Nursey and labor lounge to provide a calming environment for laboring mothers.
Renderings of The Birthing Place at UofL Health.
"There is no form of health care more fundamental than the care provided to new and pregnant mothers and to children who are just coming into the world," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
The Birthing Place will have physicians and certified nurse midwives. There will also be licensed clinical social workers, health coaches, health educators and care navigators.
"I think about the promise that we are leaving the young people who will be born in this hospital," said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. "To know that we are building a better Kentucky for them and to be reminded of why that is so critically important is they get the best start that they can in the first days of their lives."
With demolition of the current space expected to begin in December, The Birthing Place is scheduled to open in spring 2025.
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