Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1499652
Health Matters: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center | 5 L ike many first-time parents, Jennifer and Luis Clavijo wanted a nurturing place to bring their baby into the world. "When we found out we were expecting," says Jennifer, "we prayed that we would be guided into good hands. I felt a connection to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, and it was the best choice." In March 2022, Jennifer delivered a healthy baby girl, Emilia, via C-section. "The nurses did not neglect me for a moment," she says, "and I was able to have the most beautiful experience. I felt very respected, valued and listened to, not only as a patient but as a person." "I felt great peace of mind that our baby was in good hands," says Jennifer. "What is safe and protected is priceless. The nurses took great care of Emilia." The Providence Promise is "Know me, care for me, ease my way." "I remember reading those words in one of the corridors of the hospital," says Jennifer, "and word for word, I felt they were true, from the moment I stepped into the hospital to the moment our little Emilia came into this world." The Clav o family's journey didn't begin there, however. Two months before delivery, Jennifer had joined the much-lauded Welcome Baby program, which provides new mothers with free education, referrals, resources, and support during the early months of parenthood. In 2022, the Welcome Baby program at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center served 1,700 women. Anyone who gives birth at the hospital is automatically eligible. (Prenatal enrollment is available for those living in several designated communities, including Panorama City, where the Clav os reside.) The program is free, and many of its practitioners are bilingual. Jennifer, for example, is a native Spanish speaker. Parenting coaches and nurses visit mother and baby throughout the first nine months of life to help with breastfeeding, track developmental milestones and foster a healthy attachment between mother and child. "The more the mom understands the baby," says Maria Magaña, the program manager, "the more likely the mom is connected to the baby and secure attachment is created." Welcome Baby provides much-needed items such as diapers, food and clothing through partnership with the nonprofit Baby2Baby, as well as toys, babyproofing kits for electrical outlets and cabinets, and books through the L.A. Public Library 's Read Baby Read program. The home visits are so popular that even extended family seem to gather for advice. "We've had neighbors ask, 'How can I get this?' " says Magaña. "It's such an important program. I wish I'd had it when I had my firstborn, because none of us know what we're doing when we bring our first baby home in our arms. Having someone who comes into the home and can guide you through a few weeks or months—there's just nothing like that service." Jennifer refers to her parenting coach, Maria Elena Garcia Yepez, as "our guardian angel." Garcia Yepez made sure that mother and baby were both happy, healthy and well. "Jennifer was amazing," she says. "She is very consistent as a parent. She's just such a good, committed mommy. I admire her because she's not only embracing parenting; she's growing with it." "I learned so much that I didn't really have any questions for the pediatrician about my baby 's development," says Jennifer. "I will never forget Maria Elena's words to me about my baby: 'Emilia's great development is a result of your great effort, dedication and attention.' " Providence Holy Cross Medical Center offers a full spectrum of educational classes and prenatal services for expectant mothers and their families, including Virtual Maternity Tours. To schedule a maternity tour or for more information about our Welcome Baby program, call 844-510-4325. Helping Hands for a Healthy New Life Easing the way for new families with information, support—and a guardian angel Maria Magaña Honored to be ranked 36th in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology by U.S. News & World Report 4,741 Number of patients for labor and delivery in 2022 2,685 Total deliveries at Providence Holy Cross in 2022 35 Sets of twins 224 Average deliveries per month in 2022 BY THE NUMBERS continued on next page