Helen Keller Hospital: Womens Center.

The Women's Center

The Women’s Center at Helen Keller Hospital is designed to meet the healthcare needs of women in every stage of life. With a caring, professional, and attentive staff, you are surrounded by the faces you know and the people you trust for the very best of care, whether it be gynecological surgery or the birth of a new baby.

Our comfortable labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum (LDRP) suites are unique to Northwest Alabama. These suites are beautifully decorated and home-like to provide a comfortable setting as you welcome your new baby. Each suite features state-of-the-art equipment so that the expectant mom and baby are monitored during the entire labor process. Post-partum rooms are spacious and tastefully furnished to provide a peaceful setting as you recover from your delivery or from a surgical procedure.

The C-section room and recovery suite are conveniently located within the Women’s Center should a C-section become necessary. Once your newborn arrives, family and friends will be able to get a peek at your bundle of joy through the viewing window in the modern nursery, located at the entrance to the Women’s Center.

Kellerbabies Web Nursery- An internet opportunity to spread your JOY!
Kellerbabies Web Nursery is a Totally Free way to share photos of your new baby with friends and family. Your baby will be photographed using our new Digital Camera provided by "OUR 365" Newborn Portraits. You may dress your new little girl or boy in an outfit of your choosing. You will be invited to the Nursery during your baby's photo session. This will allow you to see the photos and choose the best pose. The pose you choose will be used for the Web Nursery and also for a photo package if you wish to order. There is no cost or obligation to buy when you have your baby's photo taken. After the baby's photo is taken, with your consent, "OUR 365" Newborn Portraits will post the photo in our Web Nursery. Each baby's photo is password protected. Only individuals who are given the password by the parents will be able to view photo.

Maternal/Child Education
Helen Keller Hospital is proud to have Leigh Smith, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC, on staff as our Maternal/Child Educator to provide the guidance and assistance a new mother may need with breastfeeding or infant care questions. Leigh is a Certified Lactation Consultant and coordinates a wide selection education programs for expectant parents, new moms, and expectant siblings.

The Women’s Center Education Team includes Leigh Smith, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC, and Misty Thrasher, CRNP. For information on our Women’s Center classes and programs, or to register, visit the Calendar on this website, call Leigh Smith at (256) 386-4162, or the Keller Education Department at (256) 386-4030. Preregistration is required to guarantee class space. Included in the education programs are:

Prepared Childbirth Classes - For moms to-be and their significant others, this class is a must. Every aspect of your delivery, special breathing techniques, breastfeeding benefits and tips for your coach will be discussed. A tour of our state-of-the-art Women’s Center is included in this class, along with an introduction to Kellerbabies.com. This class meets one time per week for six consecutive weeks. Fee is $55.00 per couple to cover supplies.

Breastfeeding Classes-"The Natural Choice." Learn the "how-to’s" of breastfeeding, which will be helpful in the early weeks of your newborn’s life. Fee is $10.00 to cover supplies.

La Leche League-This breastfeeding support group is available to expectant mothers, new mothers or anyone experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding. For more information, please visit http://www.lllalmsla.org/shoals

Baby Basics-This class is great for the first time mother. Topics include infant feeding and basic infant care, such as bathing, diapering, common infant illnesses, taking the infant’s temperature, standard immunizations, and when to call the pediatrician. Fee is $10.00 per participant, to cover supplies.

Sibling Class-This class is designed especially for children ages 3-9 years who are expecting a younger brother or sister. Children are taught to deal with dramatic emotional changes and attachments that come with a new sibling; along with how to hold their new sibling. Each child receives an "I’m a Big Brother/Sister" tee shirt. Fee is $10.00 per family, to cover supplies.

Other Services Offered:
Tours of The Women's Center- Tours are sheduled by appointment. Please call our Maternal/Child Educator Leigh Smith, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC at 256-386-4162.

Birth Planning- Expectant mothers and their families are invited to make an appointment for Birth Planning. They will meet with one of our Maternal/Child staff members to discuss what kind of birth experience they would like. The maternal/Child staff member works with mother and family on planning their birth experience here at the Women's Center. To schedule an appointment call 256-386-4162 or 256-386-4698.

Car Seat Safety Inspections- Car seat safety inspections are available on the 2nd Wednesday of each month form 10 am till 2pm (by appointment only). Inspection station is located behind the Ambulance office on the Hospital campus. Inspections can also be done by appointment. Call 256-386-4162- or 256-386-4030.

Water Aerobic Classes- Pre and post-natal Water Aerobic Classes are offered by our Wellcare Center. Please call 256-386-4747 for details.

FastCommand Emergency Site