Labor, Delivery Unit at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital Sees Rebirth in Glen Dale

WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital celebrated the opening Wednesday of its new WVU Medicine Children's Women's and Newborn Center.

Before joining WVU Medicine, Reynolds Memorial had to close its labor and delivery unit.

"I got so much feedback from the community after we closed the program, that they were born at this hospital, and that they wanted us to open the program back up," said Dr. David Hess, president and CEO of Reynolds. "We know the need is here. We know the desire is here to deliver back in their own community. We brought it back for them."

Earlier this month, Reynolds added Dr. Nicole Carlson, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist.

"What we will be able to offer different from other community hospitals is that I will be the physician that you will see for every single appointment, for your delivery and for your postpartum care," Carlson said. "You won't have to bounce around between providers throughout your pregnancy."

The Women's and Newborn Center at Reynolds gives women and children in the Northern Panhandle access to the same quality care as the WVU Medicine Children's in Morgantown.

"For women living up and down the (W.Va.) 2 corridor, when you get down into Wetzel County and Sistersville and here in Marshall County, this is a great convenience," said Albert L. Wright Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System. "People want to stay local for health care whenever they can."

The Women's and Newborn Center is on the second floor of the hospital and includes new equipment, three labor and delivery rooms, five postpartum rooms and a nursery.