SGCMH, Nurses for Newborns create partnership

STE. GENEVIEVE — Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital (SGCMH) Women’s Health and Wellness is implementing a new partnership with Nurses for Newborns (NFN).  Both organizations will work together to provide services to young mothers to help improve the health of their families and communities. 

The services offered include maternal and newborn health education and resources. Moms will receive the additional support to promote healthy growth, including breastfeeding and other key services to help them thrive.

Most all women and children will qualify for the services.  Women who are pregnant or in the post-partum phase, infants with medical concerns, parents who have mental health concerns or physical disability, and families who are in need of resources will qualify for the program.

The partnership allows ongoing breastfeeding support, screening for prenatal and postpartum depression and support for women and will be monitored for community health improvement.

SGCMH Women’s Health & Wellness of SGCMH identifies the need for additional support to families through health screenings, prenatal and OB unit visits. 

“At SGCMH women are referred through the clinic or OB unit. We inform all moms of the program and if interested their information is forwarded to NFN,” commented Hill.

All pregnant women, families and their babies in the service area of SGCMH and NFN are able to be referred. The service area includes Ste. Genevieve, Perry, St. Francois, and Jefferson counties in Missouri.  Women interested in receiving assistance should contact NFN at 314-544-3433.

“Women can call intake themselves for self-referrals,” commented Lisa Bird, RN, BSN, Nurses for Newborns.  “Services are provided as needed, and may be provided for up to two years.”

Educational and supportive services can be challenging and are sometimes difficult to provide in clinics or hospital settings, but the partnership with NFN helps both organizations and, the families get the support they need.  Often, it is after the family has gone home from the hospital that support is most valuable. 

Nurses for Newborns provides comprehensive community-based services which include health assessments, screenings and health education during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. The services are based on a holistic approach of the child, caregiver and family needs and may range from a few weeks to years depending on each unique situation and need of the family.  Services are provided by an experienced registered nurse either in the home or virtually.   NFN is a non-profit supported by governmental grants, private foundations and individual donors.

Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is a nonprofit county owned community hospital that works to continue to improve the health and well-being of the community. Our professional staff uses advanced technology and medicine to provide excellent, personalized, and compassionate healthcare. For more information on Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, visit stegenevievehospital.org.