Mayo expanding program offerings for mothers-to-be

By Stuart Hedstrom

Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT – With a new full-time OB-GYN physician joining Mayo Women’s Health last year, the hospital has also been working to expand services for expectant mothers from the earliest stages of pregnancies through birth.

“I have been on board for six months now,” said Dr. Veronica Simmonds, the full-time OB-GYN at Mayo Regional Hospital’s Women’s Health department. Dr. Simmonds, who is certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and first began seeing patients at Mayo Women’s Health in May of 2014, began working full time in November. She is a seasoned women’s health physician who came to Mayo after having provided services at Maine Coast Women Care in Ellsworth.

Earlier in the month Dr. Simmonds and others represented Mayo Regional Hospital at the second annual Bangor Baby Expo May 2 at the Cross Insurance Center. “We thought this would be a great time to show our presence,” Dr. Simmonds said about the expo featuring “a little bit of everything” pertaining to pregnancies and after birth.

“We definitely had a lot of interest and questions,” she said, saying some attendees did not realize Mayo Regional Hospital was still performing deliveries as some hospitals in eastern Maine have stopped this procedure.

Dr. Simmonds explained through questionnaires, at both the Bangor Baby Expo and for patients, Mayo Women’s Health has added to its program offerings from the time of confirmation of pregnancy to delivery. She said from the initial meet and greet  with her and her team, patients can learn about all of their options. “I like people to have the labor experience that they want,” Dr. Simmonds said.

She explained a personalized birth plan is developed, which can feature “a more slow-paced, natural approach to labor.” Dr. Simmonds said at Mayo Regional Hospital, which includes the women’s health and obstetrics departments, Dexter Family Practice and Milo Family Practice, there are not the time and space constraints for giving birth that there are at larger hospitals. Rooms feature home furnishings and a warm decor blended with the latest medical technology to be both soothing and relaxing and high tech.

“We are in the process of getting a labor tub now, we are hoping to have it in here in the next two months,” Dr. Simmonds said about an upcoming new offering for the expectant mother. “It is basically a whirlpool giant tub,” she said, without the jets and hot water.

The labor tub allows mothers near delivery to rest in comfort in the water. Dr. Simmonds said the tub helps reduce the amount of narcotics used as patients’ aches, such as back pain, can be soothed before they exit the labor tub to give birth.

Dr. Simmonds said each provider, which in addition to herself includes Dr. Jessica Richmond of Milo Family Practice and Dr. Lisa Stout of Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine who also perform deliveries, will work with expectant mothers who already have had children through a C-section. Through a trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC), a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) may be possible.

“There is definitely a market for it and patients are looking for this,” Dr. Simmonds said about a possible avoidance of another C-section. She said screenings will be conducted to help determine the best option for mother and future child.

Childbirth classes can help those expecting and their immediate family members, as Simmonds those expecting their first child usually have many questions. She said one class may be held on Saturdays and another session could take place during the evening.

“There has already been strong interest,” Dr. Simmonds said. “I would like to keep it informal, a circle session.” She said the classes will include information on anesthesia to help alleviate anxieties.

“I have definitely seen a difference in terms of patients being calm and collected with less fear involved,” Dr. Simmonds said about participants in past classes she has led.

“Both the board of directors and the CEO have been incredibly supportive,” Dr. Simmonds said about the various programs offered to those expecting.