With their first child expected to arrive just a week after the opening of a new $21 million perinatal unit at Kelowna General Hospital, expectant parents Fiona and Pete Patterson were glowing at the opportunity of being one of the first set of parents to welcome a newborn in the state-of-the-art facility.

The Pattersons were among dignitaries, media and staff that toured the new perinatal (maternity) ward at KGH last week, a facility that brings the hospital91裸聊视频檚 child birth facilities up to modern times.

It features expanded patient and clinical care space that focusses on keeping mother and new baby close to each other at all times and allows for more interaction for new dads and families as well.

91裸聊视频淎s first time expectant parents, we were thrilled upon touring the new unit,91裸聊视频� said Fiona.

91裸聊视频淭hey really listened to what women need. There91裸聊视频檚 more privacy, natural light, it really promotes a sense of relaxation.

91裸聊视频淣ot only is it aesthetically pleasing but it91裸聊视频檚 functional. It caters to women and families.

91裸聊视频淭here are resources right in the room for moms and babies that promotes attachment right away.91裸聊视频�

The new unit will open on March 6 and Fiona Patterson is expected to deliver her baby on March 12.

The couple took some pre-natal classes in KGH91裸聊视频檚 old maternity ward and had been contemplating a home birth.

But if the baby cooperates and shows up on time, the couple will be in the fourth floor of the recently opened Heart and Surgical Centre at KGH to welcome their new family member.

91裸聊视频淭his really takes home birth out of the question for us,91裸聊视频� said Pete.

91裸聊视频淚t just seems very organized with everything flowing really nicely. It91裸聊视频檚 made for patients.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e very happy. They can keep the baby in the room and really take an attachment approach.91裸聊视频�

Interior Health says there are many benefits to the new unit including:

91裸聊视频� Expanded patient and clinical space

91裸聊视频� A modern neonatal intensive care unit

91裸聊视频� A new surgical suite for schedule Caesarean section and multiple birth deliveries

91裸聊视频� Private and semi private post-partum rooms

91裸聊视频� A patient and family-centred care environment

The new unit was designed with input from health care workers.

KGH nurse Bonnie Wilke, who will work in the neonatal intensive care unit, says it really brings the hospital91裸聊视频檚 child birthing facilities up to modern times.

91裸聊视频淭his is amazing,91裸聊视频� said Wilke. 91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 wait to see patients in here. The old unit has done it91裸聊视频檚 job but it was built in the 1960s.

91裸聊视频淭hat was a different time for parents. The new unit supports a model of care where parents are involved. It91裸聊视频檚 nice being family friendly.91裸聊视频�

The new unit has three labour assessment bays, five private labour and delivery rooms, one labour and delivery isolation room as well as one dedicated operating room.

There are nine private rooms and four semi-private rooms. And for families, there are washrooms with showers, a large waiting room and two nourishment centres where families can refrigerate and prepare food.

91裸聊视频淗aving a baby is one of life91裸聊视频檚 most joyous, and most stressful, moments,91裸聊视频� said Premier Christy Clark, who is also the MLA for Westside-Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淭his new unit will provide moms and loved ones with a state-of-the-art facility and soothing atmosphere in which to enjoy the start of a new life together.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淎fter seeing the new perinatal unit firsthand, I know this is a place where the 1,600 babies born at Kelowna General Hospital every year will get the best start to life,91裸聊视频� added Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country.

91裸聊视频淎 modern neonatal intensive care unit with central monitoring, and areas for stabilization, transition and high needs babies will support parents whose newborns need a little extra help.91裸聊视频�

Erwin Malzer, the Interior Health board chairman, called the new perintal unit a nurturing environment for moms and babies, and a modern, healthy workplace for hospital employees.

The perinatal unit is included within the $381-million budget for the new Interior Heart & Surgical Centre. The Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District provided the $18-million capital cost of the unit and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation has committed $3-million for new state-of-the-art equipment and support funding.

91裸聊视频淲e know that the new unit is much needed and will be well used by growing families,91裸聊视频� said Gail Given, chairwoman of Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District.

91裸聊视频淚t just made sense to go ahead and fully fund the construction of the fourth floor while the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre was being built, rather than waiting and adding the new unit sometime in the future.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淥ur community is extremely proud of KGH and their help is critical to make it what it is today. The KGH Foundation is extremely grateful for the support our community is providing to our most vulnerable patients through our Giving Giggles Campaign,91裸聊视频� noted Doug Rankmore, chief executive officer, Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.

For expectant mom Fiona Patterson, the open spaces and the feel of the new unit provides everything a new mother could hope for.

91裸聊视频淭he energy of this new birth space is one that promotes relaxation and is really attuned to the needs of the whole family.91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 so soothing. We were impressed with the upgraded equipment.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 comforting to know that maternity care in Kelowna is a priority.91裸聊视频�