McLEOD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 14 MAY 2014

The McLeod Resource Center is now offering the McLeod Maternity Concierge Service, designed to pamper and assist mothers before, during and after pregnancy through a full range of wonderful and unique services. This program is the first and only one of its kind in the area.

Expectant parents interested in the program set up an initial consultation with Tracie Foster, McLeod Maternity Concierge, and determine what services they are interested in. Foster then works closely with them to make the journey into parenthood both memorable and seamless.

"With this service, new parents leave the details to me, from making reservations to delivering cakes to ensuring their home is baby proof," says Foster. "This allows the parents to simply relax and enjoy the pregnancy."

The Maternity Concierge Service consists of the following components:

Maternity Education

The McLeod Resource Center offers a broad spectrum of maternity education classes for first time mothers as well as refresher classes for current parents. Classes include:

• Stages of labor
• Breastfeeding
• Caring for baby and mom after delivery
• CPR training
• Safe sleeping environments for baby
• Tour of maternity facility
• Big Brother/Big Sister preparation

In-Home Safety Evaluation

The McLeod Maternity Concierge Service works with the McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal Injury Prevention Specialist to inspect your home and provide up-to-date safety information, from safety recalls to education on creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby. They will also determine the proper number of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, if necessary, required in your home.

To learn more about McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal, please visit www.McLeodSafeKids.org

Lactation Support Services

As the only hospital in the area to offer lactation support services, McLeod understands that education and guidance are important for successful breastfeeding. New mothers can learn from McLeod Lactation Consultants while in the hospital, and once at home, mothers can make an appointment to visit the McLeod Resource Center for additional lactation support, free of charge, until the baby is six weeks old.

Choosing a Pediatrician and Child Care

The Maternity Concierge Service works with new parents on guidelines for choosing a pediatrician, when the process should begin, when to set up an interview, and what questions to ask.

The Maternity Concierge also helps new parents choose the right child care service by following the South Carolina Department of Social Services guidelines. Important information includes when the process should begin, types of child care centers available, when to set up an interview, what questions to ask, what accreditations are needed, and what to look for when visiting.

Special Services from Local Vendors

The Maternity Concierge Service makes before and after delivery a special time to celebrate and remember by collaborating with local vendors on services such as photography, cleaning services, gender reveal cakes and cupcakes, luncheons, teas and private restaurant rooms.

Vendors include Willow Woods Photography by Allison Triplett, Bethany Robinson Photography, Collin M. Smith Portrait Photography, Sweet – A Cupcake Company, Let Them Eat Cake, Top Hat Special Teas, Red Bone Alley, R&R Home Cleaning Service, and Domestic Divas.

To learn more about this service or to schedule a free consultation, please call the McLeod Resource Center at 843-777-2890 or visit www.McLeodResourceCenter.org.

About the McLeod Resource Center

Catering exclusively to new and expectant parents and families with young children, the McLeod Resource Center is a comfortable and convenient place to find everything to help during pregnancy and the first months with your new baby. From a baby boutique offering breastfeeding and other baby care supplies, to free magazines and literature on childbirth and parenting, it’s a one-stop resource for mothers and their babies.

Located in the beautiful grey Victorian house, known as the Levy House, the McLeod Resource Center is just behind the McLeod Pavilion and McLeod Medical Park East. The McLeod Resource Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

About the Maternity Concierge

Tracie Foster earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from the Mary Black School of Nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2007. She previously worked with McLeod Women’s Services as a nurse extern, serving under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, in several areas, including Labor and Delivery, Antepartum, Triage, Non-Stress Testing (NST), and Pre-Admit Testing (PAT). Additionally, Foster has been a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Safe Sitters Instructor with McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal since 2010.