West Valley hospital launches maternal care units

By James Goldmeer
Mail

As the West Valley continues its population boom, local healthcare infrastructure is pivoting to meet the demand for specialized maternal services.

Abrazo Health marked the official launch of “The Nest,” a restructured women’s services initiative at both the Arrowhead and West campuses. The project includes physical upgrades to labor and delivery suites and a shift toward "low-intervention" medical options that are becoming increasingly sought after by expectant parents.

The expansion at the Abrazo West Campus on McDowell Road specifically targets a growing demographic in the Goodyear and Buckeye areas. According to Jennifer Nowlin, Nursing Director for Women and Infant Services at Abrazo West, many new residents are often unaware of the high-level neonatal capabilities existing within their own zip codes.

"I want the community and families to know we're here," Nowlin said. "Because Goodyear and Buckeye are growing so big in the West Valley, we meet a lot of families that say, 'I didn’t even know you guys had labor and delivery services here.'"

The facility operates a nursery equipped to care for infants born at 32 weeks or later who require higher medical support. According to Nowlin, this allows local families to keep their newborns in the community rather than transferring to downtown Phoenix facilities for mid-level neonatal complications.

The "Nest" branding coincides with a shift in how the hospitals handle labor.

"It represents comfort and a home-like atmosphere," Nowlin said. "Our team is skilled in caring for not just the lowest-risk pregnancy, the highest-risk pregnancy, but also that pregnancy that wants less medical intervention, that wants more of an unmedicated birthing experience. You really get that comfort of having medical services... available, but also in a setting that allows you to feel like you're at home."

Clinical features of the new units include:

• Wireless Fetal Monitoring: Unlike traditional monitors that tether a patient to a bed, these allow for mobility throughout the room. "Moms have normal mobility to move around the room, the unit, to work with their body during labor," Nowlin said.
• Hydrotherapy Options: The West Campus has integrated tubs for pain relief. "We don't do water births, but we can labor in the tub for pain relief, for comfort, and also sometimes it helps to speed up labor because moms can relax and work with their contractions," Nowlin said.
• Specialist Coverage: The units are staffed around the clock by dedicated OB/GYN physicians and neonatal nurse practitioners.

A component of the new service model is the emphasis on "human touch" continuity. Barb Otterson, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with 40 years of experience in healthcare, noted that the unit is returning to older practices, such as follow-up phone calls to families after they are discharged.

"Healthcare has turned into a health business for a lot of places, but this one still has that quality where they care about the patients," Otterson said. "To see them doing some of the thoughtful, kind, patient-centered things that we did 30 years ago touches my heart."

Otterson, who provides prenatal education and lactation support, said that the goal across the “Nest” is to reduce the anxiety often associated with new parenthood.

James Goldmeer
Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park

jgoldmeer@iniusa.org

Meet James
James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.

Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.

Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English. 

Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.  

Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.