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Obstetrics at the Women’s Pavilion
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Our top-notch obstetrical team delivers the expert care and special touch you require to make the birth of your baby a cherished, memorable occasion. The nursing staff and providers offer flexibility in the labor and delivery experience to accommodate birth plans and respect your wishes. We have the personal touch and close-to-home feel of a smaller hospital.
At the WCH Women's Pavilion, our unique birthing plans include rooming in, where the newborn’s crib is kept by the side of the mother’s bed, and at least a full hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact is encouraged after delivery.
For the majority of women in our care, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is an option — which allows mothers to choose the birth experience they want to have. In addition, lowering the rate of unnecessary first-time C-sections has been a priority of ours at WCH for years. New mothers recover more quickly after a vaginal childbirth, and the costs are much lower.
The Women’s Pavilion is a Level II maternity service; so if complications arise before or after delivery, families can be appropriately cared for. Wooster Community Hospital works in collaboration with Akron Children’s Hospital to offer a Special Care Nursery that can care for newborns requiring additional care. This means families will not have to be separated for certain high-risk conditions.
Use this birth preference worksheet to assist you as you plan for the arrival of your little one. This sheet can help you communicate with your healthcare team your desires during the labor and birth experience. We encourage you to go over your preferences with your healthcare providers during prenatal appointments and ask any questions you may have. We also welcome you to bring the worksheet with you to the hospital because we strive to provide each patient with individualized care. We look forward to caring for your family on this special day.
For more information regarding OB services contact the Women's Pavilion at (330) 202-5540.
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Women’s Pavilion Visitation Guidelines (Effective June 1st, 2023)
1. Support People
a. 3 support people ages 14 and older.
b. Same 3 people are designated for the entire hospital admission.
c. Support people ages 14-17 must always have a supervising adult present with them (the supervising adult is someone other than the patient and counts as 1 of the 3 support people).
d. If a qualified doula or community midwife is used, they may be an additional support person.
2. Labor Visitation
a. 3 designated support people are permitted at all times.
3. Postpartum Visitation
a. Postpartum begins 3 hours after birth and lasts until the patient goes home.
b. 3 designated support people are permitted at all times.
c. Siblings of newborn may visit at any time with up to two caregivers.
d. Additional family and friends may visit during open visitation hours:
i. 11 AM - 12 PM; and
ii. 6 PM - 7 PM
4. Changes to Visitation Guidelines
a. Changes to visitation guidelines may be implemented at any time at the discretion of the hospital infection control department or at the discretion of the care team if deemed necessary.
People experiencing fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat, and/or muscle aches are contagious. We ask these visitors to contact the patient after they have been discharged home.
Use this birth preference worksheet (Spanish version) to assist you as you plan for the arrival of your little one. This sheet can help you communicate with your healthcare team your desires during the labor and birth experience. We encourage you to go over your preferences with your healthcare providers during prenatal appointments and ask any questions you may have. We also welcome you to bring the worksheet with you to the hospital because we strive to provide each patient with individualized care. We look forward to caring for your family on this special day.
If you are planning a home birth but need medical intervention, we have relationships with many midwives in the community and can work with your home-birth provider for a seamless transition in care.
For your obstetrical care, visit the providers at Bloomington Women’s Care, and Cleveland Clinic Women's Center . They offer a spectrum of OB services including fertility evaluations, miscarriage treatment, pregnancy testing, prenatal health, vaginal and cesarean delivery, and more.
Wooster Community Hospital proudly collaborates with Akron Children's Hospital to elevate the standard of perinatal care for mothers and their newborns. This partnership ensures that our Level II nursery is staffed with Akron Children's top-tier physicians and a dedicated medical team, providing exceptional care for high-risk and healthy infants alike. By combining advanced medical expertise with comprehensive support, we are committed to delivering the highest quality of care, ensuring peace of mind for families during this critical time. We encourage you to meet our partnering providers below.
Thomas Mike, MD
Dr. Thomas Mike is a dedicated pediatrician with a strong foundation in both medical expertise and leadership. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio, where he honed his skills in pediatric care. As a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Mike is committed to staying at the forefront of pediatric advancements and providing exceptional care to his patients.
Throughout his academic career, he assumed several leadership roles, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and growth within the medical community, and continually striving to enhance his impact in the field of pediatric medicine.
Efua Prah, MD
Dr. Efua Prah is a compassionate pediatrician whose dedication to improving children's health is evident through her diverse training and volunteer work. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica and completed her pediatric residency at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio. A proud member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Prah is committed to advancing the field of pediatric healthcare.
Dr. Prah’s volunteer work with the SALYIBA Mission Project highlights her passion for community service, where she actively participated in health awareness and fundraising events to bring essential medical care to the Indigenous people of Dominica.
Gila Schiowitz, DO
Dr. Gila Schiowitz is a dedicated pediatrician with a well-rounded background in pediatric medicine and a strong commitment to child health and safety. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and honed her expertise through a pediatric internship and residency at Schneider Children's Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, affiliated with the Albert Einstein School of Medicine.
Dr. Schiowitz holds certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Infection Control, and Child Abuse Prevention, which bolsters her ability to provide comprehensive care to her young patients. An active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Academy of Osteopathic Pediatricians, she remains deeply engaged in the continuous advancement of pediatric medicine.
Hallie Baucher, MD
Dr. Hallie Baucher is a distinguished pediatrician whose comprehensive medical training and diverse interests make her a compassionate and well-rounded practitioner. She earned her medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and completed her pediatrics residency at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dr. Baucher is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, underscoring her commitment to providing exceptional care. Her expertise is further demonstrated by her certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
As a dedicated member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Baucher is actively engaged in advancing pediatric healthcare. Outside the clinic, she enjoys traveling, reading, crocheting, sewing, and cooking, bringing creativity and warmth to her professional and personal life.
Tatiana Gurevich-Panigrahi, MD
Dr. Tatiana Gurevich-Panigrahi is a highly accomplished pediatrician with a robust academic and professional background. She earned her medical degree from Debrecen Medical School and Health Science Center in Hungary after completing her undergraduate studies at the Henrietta Szold School of Nursing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Dr. Gurevich-Panigrahi's extensive training includes a pediatrics internship and residency at MetroHealth Medical Center, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University, and a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship at the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Gurevich-Panigrahi is also an active member of the Pediatric Academic Society, Society of Hospital Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her commitment to excellence in pediatric care is further enhanced by her EZ-IO training, ensuring she provides the highest quality of patient care.
Frank Artinian, MD
Dr. Frank Artinian is a seasoned pediatrician with expertise in both clinical practice and academics. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.
Dr. Artinian is dual board certified in Pediatric Hospital Medicine and General Pediatrics and has held significant leadership positions that reflect his commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare. With a certification in Plant-Based Nutrition, Dr. Artinian also holds a unique understanding of how a plant-based diet can benefit young patients. He also stands as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, underscoring his dedication to the field and community.
Wooster Community Hospital (WCH) Health System collaborates with Akron Children’s Hospital to bring a higher level of perinatal care to our community.
A Level II nursery is able to care for babies born up to 8 weeks premature (at or greater than 32 weeks gestation), who weigh at least 3 lbs, and who are physically immature, such as those who have breathing problems or are unable to feed orally. The Level II nursery is staffed by Akron Children’s physicians and nurses. If your baby requires a special care admission, a courtesy room is available near the nursery allowing for unlimited visitation.
Labor and delivery also functions at Level II which means care is provided to mom’s who are 32 weeks gestation and above for such diagnosis as preterm labor, threatened preterm labor, diabetes, and hypertension.
The healthcare team works together to provide a level of care to mom’s and babies who go into labor before full term but do not require care at a tertiary care center. The goal of both facilities is to keep you close to home and together as a family to promote family bonding. In the event you require care at a tertiary care center and desire to return to WCH Health System for care, discuss the candidacy of reverse transfer with your care provider.
WCH offers package pricing to accommodate family budgets. Not only do we feature competitive pricing but we also provide payment options — payments can be made in installments throughout the pregnancy. Package pricing bundles everything, including doctors' visits, and the hospital provides free transportation services for patients.
The Ohio Hospital Association has launched an exciting statewide initiative, Safe Sleep Is Good4Baby, which advocates that all infants sleep alone, on their backs, and in a crib. The campaign focuses on:
- Modeling safe sleep practices in the hospital
- Educating parents and families about safe sleep practices at home
- Advocating and educating community members about the importance of safe sleep
Wooster Community Hospital is proud to be part of the initiative that aims to reduce sleep-related infant mortality, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
WCH’s maternity care center has been awarded recognition for its efforts to promote, protect, and support successful breastfeeding. The First Steps for Healthy Babies program is a breastfeeding initiative by the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health.
Coronavirus (COVID-10), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients: For more information Click here
"This was my first birth with a pool, and it was AMAZING for pain control. The pool was soft and allowed for easy repositioning, floating of my belly and movement of my legs. My contractions quickly sped up but laboring in the pool made them very manageable and comfortable.
My providers and WP allowed me to have 3 wonderful 'home birth experiences' that I desired within the safety net of a hospital."
