Littauer reveals changes to maternity ward
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
GLOVERSVILLE - Nathan Littauer Hospital unveiled its new $1.2 million maternity ward in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital Tuesday and is scheduled to open the facility sometime this week.
The facility took about six months to build and expanded the hospital's former maternity ward to accommodate an increase in births over the past year, said Manager of Maternal Child Health Kim Colvin. Colvin said the hospital had a 15 percent increase in births over the past year.
Oak trim lines the halls and rooms of the ward, which is painted in creams, whites and pale greens. The floor of each room is hardwood and the cabinets are wood as well. Each bed is made up with a satin-like dark bronze comforter and includes two chairs. The largest of the three birthing rooms also includes a bathroom with a whirlpool tub to help relax expectant mothers, Colvin said.
Couple Carly Babcock and Jamie Garcia of Wells were browsing the new facility Tuesday. Babcock said she is scheduled to be one of the first women to give birth in the new ward. Her son, who she said she would name Aiden, was due last week, and she is scheduled to be induced Thursday.
"I'll be one of the first, if he can wait that long," she said.
Babcock said Aiden will be her first child. She said some of the fears she has about giving birth have been soothed after viewing the new facility.
"It's just absolutely beautiful," she said. "I love the colors."
Garcia said other maternity wards are harsh and sterile, with bright fluorescent lights and plain white walls. He said the new facility has helped make the couple less nervous.
Roasie Hubiak of Mayfield agreed. She is due Feb. 6 and expects to name her third son Evan, she said.
"It's wonderful," she said. "[Compared to my previous births], I think this will be a little more comfortable."
Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, attended the ribbon cutting and said the new facility shows how Nathan Littauer Hospital is investing in the community.
"They're looking to the future," he said. "This shows the vitality of this region in a very basic way."
Gloversville Mayor-elect Dayton King also attended the ceremony. He said the new facility will help solidify Nathan Littauer as a highly rated and comfortable place to give birth.
"I think they did a great job," he said.
Nathan Littauer OB-GYN Patricia Nguyen, who has been working at the hospital since 1997, said she is excited to start practicing medicine in the new facility.
"It's the same work, but here I think it will be much more pleasant," she said. "It's long overdue."
Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.
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teebzz
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12-17-09 3:04 PM
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preacher...the end of 3rd paragraph says "Colvin said.". so it seems that means all of the contents of the 3rd par. anyways linoleum would be the better choice.. its not a bed and breakfast.
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Discobulous
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12-17-09 9:59 AM
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I wouldn't take my dog to St. Mary's either. Actually, i don't have a dog. I had one but when the depression hit, I loaned him to my senator. But I do have a mother-in-law. I would take her to St. Mary's. But seriously, One of the best reasons to patronize Littauer is that it ISN'T St. Mary's and I happen to know (because i have given it some funding and am acquainted with some of the department heads) that Littauer always buys top quality diagnostic equipment.
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yankee21
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12-17-09 7:38 AM
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I agree Indy! I think it would be alot nicer to see positive comments on these posts, but it seems everyone just wants to focus on any negative they can. Why complain about such a nice upgrade? Esp. seeing how how far the ward has come.
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IndyJones
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12-17-09 7:06 AM
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In tough economic times, NLH has recognized the importance of upgrading its facility and making it a better environment for medical care. Great job and a special thanks to the administration and employees for what you are doing. Glad we have a world class hospital in our community.
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yankee21
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12-16-09 9:14 PM
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Shopfan thats funny! I wouldn't take my dog to St. Mary's. Thier maternity ward is like a prison, and thier staff wasn't pleasant or welcoming to at all. Besides the fact that my friends doctor left her in labor because he wasn't on call that night! I have never heard of such a thing! She was pushing for crying out loud! Not too mention despite all the negative comments my son and I are both alive thanks to the excellent care we recieved at NLH. I look forward to March when I can use the new ward!
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FactOrFiction
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12-16-09 5:30 PM
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It is a big improvement for what they had..You should go and see it..Open 24 hours a day for tours! No hardwood floors all fake. Even used the old toilets..Check it out! You wonder what other corners they cut.It's still not finished...
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JeffreyR
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12-16-09 5:27 PM
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It seems that NLH hired a lot of St. Mary's nurses and seem to only hire from there. So the basic care you get a St. Mary's can now be gotten at NLH....lol.
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Discobulous
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12-16-09 5:18 PM
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I disagree. I took my dog there and he received excellent treatment.....nothing to bark at. And if it wasn't for the floor, people would be in the basement.
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shopfan
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12-16-09 4:39 PM
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I wouldn't take my dog to NLH. From my experience with the OB/GYN department, they have no idea what they are doing!! St. Mary's is much more on the ball!!!
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Preacher
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12-16-09 4:09 PM
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RWE - the floors aren't fake. They are fake wood. The floors themselves are real. Kayleigh said the floors were hardwood. No one from the hospital said that.
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Preacher
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12-16-09 3:51 PM
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I heard there are other nice touches to make the rooms feel like home....like really nice window treatments and pillows! I heard they are great!
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AUnionist
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12-16-09 3:27 PM
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Blood does not do much for hardwood floors. Can't remember the last time I've seen hardwood floors in a hospital setting and I've seen many hospitals. Certainly nice to see a modern, nice looking hospital when I do have to go there. Get it so you don't have to wait in an emergency room for a legitimate matter for longer than 2 hours and we may really have something.
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RWEHVNGFUNYET
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12-16-09 2:24 PM
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I'm soooo upset that the floors are fake. Good Grief. Maybe they were "supposed" to be vinyl by code. I really could care about the floor...I step all over it. Great Job NLH!
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Preacher
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12-16-09 1:49 PM
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That darn NLH - "fooling" the public about the floors! Good grief. Is that what you picked up from this? Congratulations to NLH staff for their hard work. Congratulations to the NLH Foundation for thier vision.
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JeffreyR
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12-16-09 1:08 PM
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It is great to see the local hospital grow and prosper. Some of the nurse managers at NLH do not even need a bachelors degree to advance as some are 2 year graduates. This is not the typical policy of a hospital but for local nursing people that want a career this fact will indeed help. Good luck.
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uzreason
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12-16-09 12:39 PM
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I see Mayor elect Waldo, but where's Timmy??? Maybe he didn't show cause Sarah was there...I wonder if she made it out of g'ville safely?
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Joseph
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12-16-09 12:21 PM
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Great Job NLH.
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Discobulous
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12-16-09 12:12 PM
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Conceptions are already taken care of before the clients even get to the maternity ward.
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asusual
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12-16-09 11:56 AM
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Hmmm..while looking at this new unit, while it is beautiful, the floors are NOT hard wood. It is linoleum that has the appearance of hardwood. The oak they are talking about is oak colored, but is plywood. It is quite disconcerting that NLH is trying to "fool" the public with their misconceptions. Why not say that the floors are hardwood looking??? It is stessing that the manager of this unit, along with the president of NLH are wiling to spread these untruths.
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