Janine & Scott Axe - Receiving world-class care in their own community

Modern Equipment, Caring Nurses Make for a Happy, Healthy Birthing Experience

Janine and Scott Axe got to know their twins Guillermo John and Gregory James before they were born.

"We had already named them and knew who was who when we saw them in the ultrasound," Scott said. Yet, when Janine had a Cesarean section, the babies may have come in reverse of the predicted order, Janine explained. "Greg was probably supposed to be Guillermo."

Nonetheless, the newborns are healthy and content, which is all that matters to the 44-year-old store manager and his wife, 35, who assists at a medical office near Mills-Peninsula’s Family Birth Center where the twins were born.

Their birth was a mix of modern science and medicine, beginning with their in vitro conception and ending with the C-section. Ultrasound revealed that the lower baby was in a breech position as labor began. According to their Mills-Peninsula obstetrician, Janie Sze, the last several decades have made a significant difference in the way families experience childbirth.

"Obviously, we've made great strides in the areas of fertility, genetic testing and ultrasound technology," she said. "We have many more options to help ensure a healthy outcome," she said.

Yet, one of the biggest changes over the last 50 years has occurred in the expectant mother's own philosophy, says Andrew Jurow, an OB-Gyn physician who chaired the department at Mills-Peninsula for more than a decade.

"Women are much more involved in the birthing process," he said. "They want less intervention, even if they use pain medication. In many ways, advances in pain control have helped women contribute and stay aware, even during a C-section."

Janine was awake throughout the birth of her twins, and Scott was at the head of the bed with the anesthesiologist as they were delivered. Yet, Drs. Sze and Jurow refer to the not-so distant past when women delivered under twilight sleep, and fathers showed up once the baby was bathed and swaddled.

As hospitals have kept up with the latest medical advances, they’ve also evolved to accommodate changing personal attitudes. Labor and delivery rooms have become more comfortable for mother and family. Metal stools have been replaced with rocking chairs and sofas.

"Today’s hospital setting provides all the medical resources in an atmosphere where you can have family members participate in this wonderful event and provide support," Dr. Sze said.

Added Dr. Jurow: "As much as mothers benefit from medicine, they also want to relate to people, and our nurses have both the expertise and the positive outlook that make a real difference."

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