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CMC-Union?s birth center pampers new mothers and babies with massages
by Jessica Daitch, Union County Weekly

Photo by Rick Crider/UCW photos

Nothing is more important to the staff at Carolinas Medical Center-Union?s birth center than the comfort, health and safety of its delivering mothers and newborns.

With this in mind, CMC-Union, 600 Hospital Drive in Monroe, initiated a partnership with South Piedmont Community College in September to provide free massage therapy for the new moms, who also are taught how to use massage techniques to soothe their infants.

?We always look for opportunities to pamper our mothers and to make our labor and delivery services stand out. Therapeutic massage really helps with pain management, and increased relaxation helps with the birth process,? said Tammy Abel, nurse manager for labor and delivery. ?Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far.?

Twice a week, three second-year students massage the three to eight laboring mothers and six to 10 postpartum mothers who may be there on a given day. The students have completed their SPCC massage therapy coursework and already are licensed in North Carolina. Their second-year coursework includes advanced massage techniques and allows them to earn Associate of Applied Science degrees.

The internship at CMC-Union is a valuable opportunity to hone their skills and increase their knowledge of pain management during labor, delivery and postpartum care. CMC-Union screened the students and provided an online orientation regarding hospital procedures.

?This partnership is just wonderful,? said Mary Berger, director of the school?s therapeutic massage program. ?(The students?) future employers will really benefit from the students? wide range of experience as (they) will be able to handle anything without freaking out.?

Mothers in labor are massaged at any stage, from induction to hard contractions to childbirth. Massages follow as soon as 10 minutes after birth to several days later.

New moms Annette Helms, of Marshville, and Quindrika Polk, of Wingate, recently got massages and learned infant massage techniques from the students.

?I didn?t know I?d get a massage when I got here, and it really helped my back. I?m glad they showed me how to massage my baby so I can do it at home,? Helms said. She gave birth to her third child, son, London Ray, on Oct. 6.

Working at CMC-Union twice a week ?is unbelievable and the chance of a lifetime,? said student Emma DeLamater, 20, of Monroe. ?It?s a very bonding experience when you massage your baby, and it?s so rewarding to educate the moms about how to soothe their babies. Each baby responds differently.?

DeLamater pointed out that baby London, for example, enjoys having his feet stroked. The gentle motion put him to sleep whereas he?d been fussy moments before.

Another student, Carmin Sergent, taught first-time mom Polk how to rub her son Jaont??s tummy in a clockwise motion if he develops gas. He also liked long strokes on his back.

Jaont??s father, Arsenio, admitted to nerves holding his new son, but thought he?d ?try out? massage after seeing his son?s reaction.

?I love (working here).? Sergent said.