MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional and the advice on this page is not to be taken as such. The opinions expressed on Mandy Rena are not meant to be substituted for professional medical advice and if you have any questions you should consult a medical professional.

On April 9, 2019, I had the opportunity to view the new Banner University Medicine women and infant unit. A few local women were invited to view the unveiling of the unit and the amazing health experts informed us of all the new changes within the unit.

The new women and infant unit will open officially on April 22, 2019. After attending the private event, I cannot wait for women to experience the all new Banner University Medicine women and infant unit. When you pull up to the new tower you are greeted with a new large open parking lot. The windows are mirrored to reflect that beautiful blue Arizona sky back at you. As you walk in the door to the new tower you walk into almost a hotel inspired building. Large open walkways with tons of natural light. There are so many beautiful locations in the lobby that are perfect for that last bump photo before you meet your new bundle of joy!

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In the new tower, they have a brand new gift shop that is partnered with the University of Arizona. You can get your newest family member repping their wildcat gear without leaving the hospital. Now we know hospitals are not known for their food and Banner University Medicine is trying to change that. Their new cafeteria will not only have traditional options but will be adding a sushi bar and a new cafe.

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As you look around the new lobby you will see the donor wall and one of my favorite features on that wall is they incorporated the artwork that is through the building on the donor wall. All of the artwork in the new tower is donated by local artist. Some of the artwork is new and others are older pieces. I enjoy how the blend of artwork shows both Tucson past and present.

As we made our way to the 5th floor all of us were excited and couldn’t wait to see the new woman and infant unit. As you walk out of the elevators you come to a hallway on your left that leads into the woman’s and infant unit but if you go right you make your way into the waterfall room. This is a waiting room that is a quiet space for your friends and family. The view in this room of the mountains surrounding Tucson is abosutly breathtaking.

As you make your way into the woman’s and infant unit on the right just inside the main hallway is the recovery rooms. These rooms are so spacious and the new technology inside them is astounding. Here is a few of the new features in the new mom and baby rooms

• The new rooms have a window allows nurses to check in on the patients without constantly having to knock and open the door.
• A nutrition room for patients, spouse, or siblings to grab a bit to eat if they need it.
• Large hotel-like showers
• New baby bassinets that move to bed level. Making it easier for mom to reach in and get baby out.
• Translator photos in every room
• Quiet time daily from 2-4 with milk and cookie delivery
• Unlimited food service during your stay from a 6-page menu!
• A celebratory meal for the parents

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Past the mom and baby room is the labor and delivery rooms. These rooms are full of new and exciting features for both the patients, their birthing partner and staff.

The new labor and delivery rooms have the same hotel-like feel that the mother and baby rooms do. I want to start with the bathrooms because these things are so functional and roomy. They are designed to allow you to labor in the shower if you would like. They even showed us that is you wanted you could even labor on the toilet (which is a commonplace to labor believe it or not). A new option is the option to labor in a portable heated relaxation tub. We were informed that they are in the process of receiving submersible baby monitors. Allowing you to labor in the portable tub even if you still need to be on the monitors. The rooms have new sleeper sofas and recliners for your birthing partners. Another feature is multiple options for pain managment including nitrus oxide and self regulated epideral.

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Past the labor and delivery rooms are the OR rooms. If you end up here because of an emergency or planned c-section. The first room you come to is pre and post-op. This room is so spacious and filled with the latest technologies. One of the new features is the tub system that gets your meds directly to and from the inpatient pharmacy. One thing that impressed me was the new nurse charting stands. They are fully adjustable to fit any needs of anyone. In addition to being adjustable, they allow your nurses to better communicate you without having to have their back to you. Giving you a more personalized experience.

Outside the pre and post-op room is the two OR rooms. Both are filled with the state of the art surgical equipment. One new feature that we learned about is the gentle cesarian. This is something I wish I had when I had my 3 cesareans. A gentle cesarian is a combination of a few things. One is the opaque drape that will be dropped to a clear center when the baby is being born allowing mom to see the baby when they come out. Another feature is having IV’s in one arm allowing for mom and baby to bond and even nurse in the OR (with assistance of course). There is a few other options so if you are looking at a cesarian birth talk to your birthing team and see if this is an option for you.

Now on to the baby fun! Every OR and labor and birthing room is equipped with a panda warmer. This allows the baby team to get all their vitals and provide any medical assistance that the baby may need immediately after birth.

Directly outside of both OR room is a stabilizing nursery that is for babies who need additional stabilizing immediately after birth. This is for infants who don’t necessarily need to go to the NICU but will need addition stabilization while mom is in the OR. This room is where your baby team will stay while your cesarian is happening. Another new feature to show why Banner loves babies.

In addition to the new woman and infant unit Banner University Medicine is adding new classes and groups to the hospital. You can find the new classes and groups by clicking here. Make sure to indicate “Tucson Influencer Event” in the referral field. You do not need to be delivering or have delived at Banner University Medicine to particiapte in any of the classes or groups.

One of the new groups they are implementing is a postpartum mood and anxiety group. This is a drop in group and they do not have a time and date at this time but they will have it shortly. If you are expecting and in the Tucson area be sure to schedule your tour of the new Banner Woman’s and Infant unit.

xoxo,
Mandy Rena