photo by: Mary Pawlowski Photo

A low-intervention labor and delivery room is seen at LMH Health.

When Mary Pawlowski learned she was pregnant in February 2024, she knew that she wanted to have a nonmedicated birth experience. She and her husband, Todd, had a great setup at their home for a water birth, but decided that wasn’t quite the right route for them.

“I wanted to figure out a way to have the least medical intervention during birth,” she said. “I asked questions, watched videos and took in as much information as possible.”

Pawlowski turned to Dr. Leslie Underwood at Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists for care. She had her birthing preferences and questions written out and shared them with Underwood. One question was about the possibility of using a doula. When Pawlowski shared her thoughts with Underwood and nurse practitioner Holly Dunoon, both were very receptive.

“Holly and Dr. Underwood were totally open and encouraged working with a doula,” Pawlowski said. “Even though Lawrence isn’t a huge community, they were able to share great local resources for people who are experienced and certified. We eventually decided a doula wasn’t right for us, but it was great to see that LMH focused on working with us.”

Underwood understood that Pawlowski would like to have a natural birth with minimal intervention, wanting to be induced only if it was medically necessary. She discussed the birth plan with Pawlowski throughout the pregnancy, sharing that she was also high-risk due to her age and the baby’s large size.

Those factors led Underwood to recommend induction at 39 weeks. The couple took her recommendations into consideration and chose to continue with the pregnancy. The couple was reassured that although this was her recommendation, it is a shared decision between the provider and the patient.

“Patient autonomy is extremely important in today’s medical environment,” Underwood said.

Right around her due date, Pawlowski had an appointment with Underwood and learned that her blood pressure had begun to rise.

“I told Mary that I know it wasn’t the news she wanted, but that I hoped she had packed her bags because induction was going to be safest for her and the baby,” Underwood said. “Mary and Todd shared that they still wanted as little intervention as possible, but they understood the need to induce.”

Underwood talked with the couple to discuss and decide the best way to proceed with the induction, opting to do it as slowly as possible. Pawlowski was also able to labor in the low-intervention birthing suite at LMH Health, which allows patients to deliver in a room that feels more like home than a hospital room, all while combined with the safety of a hospital. The suite is larger than the other birthing suites, providing more room to move around and ample space for a birthing chair. Like all of the other suites at LMH, a Jacuzzi tub is available to provide comfort to those who are laboring.

LMH Health is able to provide the low-intervention suite thanks to support and generosity of donors to the LMH Health Foundation. Donor funds supported many aspects of the room, including an upgraded wireless fetal monitoring system to help ensure the baby’s health during contractions. The monitors are able to go underwater, providing the opportunity for women who want to labor in water to do so while staff safely oversees their progression.

“We toured the labor and delivery floor in August and were immediately at ease,” Pawlowski explained. “After seeing the low-intervention room, I knew it was for me. I also loved the alternative options like birthing chairs and balls, as well as the ability to use the wireless monitors to walk the halls. It’s what I wanted from the beginning.”

Pawlowski shared that she exercised and walked around the room, using the bed to get through contractions. When she began pushing, it wasn’t quick. She pushed for over an hour without pain medication. But when the baby came, Pawlowski held him close and began bonding.

“It was an awesome experience where I felt comfortable and safe the entire time,” Pawlowski said. “Having my first child at 40, I wanted something with a homelike feel and nothing that seemed too clinical. For me, the low-intervention suite at LMH was the next best place to deliver outside of home.”

If you’re considering a home birth or a birthing center, Underwood encourages patients to look at the options available at LMH Health.

“Seconds and minutes can make a difference if there’s an emergency complication,” she said. “Parents who want to work with their own midwife or doula can do that at LMH and feel comfortable knowing they’re supported by one of the best nursing teams that I’ve worked with in my 15-year career.

“It’s great to know that you’ll have a nurse with you through the entire labor process. If there’s a shift change, they’ll hand you off to another nurse who will be there with you all the way. And then you may see the first nurse again during your postpartum stay. That’s something you just can’t get at a larger hospital.”

• Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence-Journal World health section.