Kaiser Permanente OC celebrates first baby born at new center
Press Release, Monday, June 02, 2008 at 12:37:46 PM
Approximately 10 hours after opening the doors of its new medical center in Irvine on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Kaiser Permanente Orange County welcomed its newest member, Luke Bareh, the first baby to be born at the new facility.

Born at 8:01 p.m., Baby Luke weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and is 19 3/4 inches long. He is the 2nd child to be born to Marian and Mike Bareh. Marian is a physician and Mike is a businessman. They reside in Irvine.

Members of the labor and delivery (L & D) team were very excited to be part of this momentous occasion. "It's wonderful and life affirming to help a family bring a new life into this world," said Patrick Roth, MD, Chief of Service, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the OB physician who delivered Baby Luke. "It's why I do what I do. But it's even more special as our team was able to welcome Luke, the very first child to be born here at Kaiser Permanente Orange County - Irvine Medical Center. We look forward to welcoming many more."

Located on the third floor, the hospital's state-of-the-art maternity department is beautifully appointed, each patient room with a private bathroom and a visitor's sleeper couch. The department includes observation rooms where expectant moms are assessed and evaluated; LDRP suites (labor, delivery, recovery, post partum), which resemble home yet contain all of the equipment needed to assist with labor, non-surgical delivery and recovery; L&D operating rooms where C-sections are performed and surgical recovery rooms where moms can recover from C-section surgery with close medical supervision but also have the opportunity to be with baby to begin the bonding process right away. Post partum rooms, also located on the third floor, continue to enhance the family bonding experience. A nursery, with 2 sets of viewing windows, one up higher for family and friends, and one a bit lower for new baby's siblings, is also located in this same area, as is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which stands ready to manage and care for those young patients who require an additional level of care. Certified lactation consultants are available to support mothers who wish to breastfeed. This service is offered both during the hospital stay and after mother and baby return home.

"We are very proud of the maternal care experience we are able to provide our members. This new facility just adds to that, with its soothing colors, heart-warming artwork, natural light, and terrific physicians, midwives and staff," said Dr. Roth.

"To further enhance the child birth experience," added Karen Tejcka, Service Line Administrator, Women and Child Services, "the families and hospital staff celebrate the miracle of each birth by playing a lullaby throughout the hospital. New parents share a celebratory meal together and receive a gift bag for their newest family addition."
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