ELIZABETHTOWN — Fluctuating hormones, fear, excitement, a swollen belly and sleepless nights — any woman who has ever given birth recognizes that pregnancy can be stressful, both on the body and on the mind. To help with at least some of the burden, a new program is being launched at one Bladen County facility.

As of Jan. 1, Cape Fear Valley/Bladen Healthcare’s Expectant Mothers Program is offering patients several new perks. At the 36-week obstetric visit, mothers-to-be are presented with a diaper bag full of complimentary items necessary for a new addition. After delivery at the hospital, the new family will be presented with a voucher for a steak dinner for two or a sibling party before heading home.

Upon discharge from the facility, a new car seat will be provided for the infant.

Ashley Dowless, Bladen Healthcare public relations director, said Women’s Health Specialists launched the program because it is serious about caring for families throughout the childbirth process.

“We want to give new mothers everything they need during this important time in their life,” Dowless said. “We’ll be right there when you need us.”

Teddie and Joshua Hunt were the first family to take part in the Expectant Mothers Program. When their daughter Maelyn Grace was born Jan. 7 — the first birth of 2017 in Bladen County — the family became the first recipients of the Women’s Health benefits.

“Everything went better than we could have ever expected, and we’re thankful for the wonderful nurses and doctors at Cape Fear Valley/Bladen Healthcare,” the Hunts said.

The Elizabethtown OB/GYN practice offers care for everything from gynecology to high-risk obstetrics. Care providers include Allan Boruszak, M.D., Shakonda Strayhorn, M.D., and Denise Davies, CNM, who together deliver more than 200 babies each year.

“The doctors at Women’s Health Specialists know what they’re doing,” said new mom Tiffany Bullock of Elizabethtown. “The nurses are never too busy, and they made me and my family feel really comfortable. Everyone was always so nice.”

For more information on the Women’s Health Specialists of the Bladen hospital, visit capefearvalley.com/bladen/womenshealth.html or call 910-862-6672. The practice is located at 300 McKay St., Suite F, in Elizabethtown.

Cape Fear Valley is a 916-bed regional health system serving a six-county region of Southeastern North Carolina. With more than 1 million patients annually, the private not-for-profit is the state’s eighth largest health system.

Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

Courtesy photo Teddie and Joshua Hunt were the first parents to enjoy the perks of Women’s Health Specialist’s new Expectant Mothers program. The couple enjoyed a steak dinner, compliments of the practice, after the birth of their daughter Jan. 7.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_IMG_8741.jpgCourtesy photo Teddie and Joshua Hunt were the first parents to enjoy the perks of Women’s Health Specialist’s new Expectant Mothers program. The couple enjoyed a steak dinner, compliments of the practice, after the birth of their daughter Jan. 7.

By Chrysta Carroll

ccarroll@civitasmedia.com