Family Birth Center Gives Second Graders a View of Baby in Womb     05-14-2010

AUBURN - More than 60 second graders from Skyridge Elementary School who toured Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital on Thursday, May 13, got to see something no other elementary school tours have seen before – a baby in a mother's womb. Since 1999, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital has invited second-grade classes to tour the medical center and Family Birth Center through a program called Sutter Hospital Outreach Project, which teaches health and safety in second-grade classes, but this is the first time that children were shown ultrasound images of a mother's baby before birth.

Phillip Kintner, M.D., an OB/GYN with Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, explained how ultrasounds work and, while applying the ultrasound probe on expectant mother Heidi Dart of Colfax, showed the children various parts of the baby's body, from the head and heart to the stomach and spinal cord.

"When I was growing up, we didn't have the opportunity to do this, and this is probably something that these children will remember for a long time, if not the rest of their lives," Dr. Kintner said. "It's a unique experience for them. Instead of watching it on TV or in a video game, they tie the baby into being inside an actual person who is here talking to them while they see the baby move and kick. To see the expressions on these kids' faces was just incredible."

Nory Sargeant, R.N., the nurse manager of the Family Birth Center at Sutter Auburn Faith, came up with the new experience on the tour, which also included getting to see a mother with her day-old baby.

"This is a community hospital, and I really wanted these students, who could be coming here to have their own baby in the future, to learn about what it is like to have a baby, how we deliver great care here in our community and to showcase some of our great staff," Sargeant said.

This baby will be the third son for mom Dart. She was excited to participate and let the children see what is inside her belly. "It's educational," she said. "It teaches something that they usually don't learn about at this time in their lives, how babies look when they're inside the womb and how they're protected and safe while they grow."

The Family Birth Center at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital historically receives high marks for patient satisfaction and has recently updated its delivery and postpartum rooms. Expectant parents can receive a tour by calling (530) 889-6085. To reach Dr. Kintner, call his office at (530) 886-6660.

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