Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center has announced the completion of a $1 million renovation project.
The Bern Township facility has undergone an upgrade of its Breidegam Family Birthing Center. The project was fully funded through federal appropriations secured with the help of U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser.
The renovations, completed in November, include modernized interiors with new flooring, paint and visitor-friendly reclining sofas that convert into beds. Bathrooms were updated and now feature air jet whirlpools for laboring. All rooms in the family birthing center are private, and patients remain in the same room for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care.
The project also added a welcome window at the family birthing center’s main entrance.
“I am pleased that expectant mothers across Reading and Berks County now have safe and reliable access to care at the state-of-the-art Breidegam Family Birthing Center at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center,” Meuser said in a statement announcing the completion of the renovations. “The center welcomes hundreds of births each year and provides essential maternal and child health care for our community.
“I was happy to secure the $1 million in federal funding to support the renovation of this center through the fiscal year 2023 appropriations process, and I am pleased to see the remodeled center will serve local families for many years to come.”
Hospital officials said the renovation project represents a commitment to patient care.
“This renovation reflects our commitment to creating a safe, comfortable and family-centered environment for every birth,” said Dr. Joel Baker, chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department at St. Joseph Medical Center. “We’re proud to offer modern amenities that support the needs of new moms and their families during this special time, and we are deeply grateful to Congressman Meuser for his support in making these improvements possible.”
As a designated Baby-Friendly USA hospital, the Breidegam Family Birthing Center provides a welcoming space for mothers, newborns and their families, while assuring the most advanced medical care. Lactation specialists are available to support breastfeeding, and for babies who need extra attention, a six-bed, level-two neonatal intensive care nursery is just steps away.