The mother baby unit is where we care for new mothers and their babies with safety and support at top of mind. This center is just one reason Samaritan was recognized as one of the best hospitals for maternity care access by U.S. News & World Report in 2004.
Samaritan’s caring doctors and nurses are another reason, offering a broad range of reproductive services for all pregnant patients. We support moms-to-be by providing accurate information, explaining your options, coordinating lab tests, and doing everything we can to help you bring new life into the world.
Our women’s health team is led by Dr. Kameron Firouzi, OB/GYN, and Lizza Bonadies, certified nurse midwife. Together, along with an all-star team of nurses and staff, they ensure you have every tool at your disposal at this special time in your life.
It is a common misconception that a “natural” birth experience — typically free of external interventions or medications, such as an epidural — is only available in holistic birthing centers. In fact, opting for a natural birth in a medical setting such as Samaritan can give expecting moms the best of both worlds.
Dr. Firouzi presents patients with all available options, explains any potential risks, and discusses any concerns. If complications arise, patients can feel safe knowing they still have the backing of a medical facility where all modern resources are available. Ultimately, labor is unpredictable, but the goal is to prioritize mom and baby above all else while still respecting the patient’s wishes.
There are a variety of birthing professionals skilled in helping moms and babies. Midwives are healthcare professionals trained in women’s reproductive health who can perform examinations, order tests, prescribe medications, and deliver babies. Samaritan’s own certified midwife, Lizzy Bonadies, works alongside Dr. Firouzi and sees patients of her own.
Women also may opt to work with a doula. Doulas are non-medical professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support to moms and families throughout the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum process. They do not, however, deliver babies. Samaritan welcomes the presence of doulas in the delivery room.
High-risk pregnancies sometimes require specialized care. Samaritan collaborates with Providence Medical Group to offer additional screenings and access to maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists via telehealth or provider consultations. Dr. Firouzi and his team perform state-of-the-art, Level 2 anatomy ultrasounds which can be reviewed by Providence’s fellowship-trained MFM specialists in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Firouzi can then provide customized, data-driven care.
He can also perform complicated deliveries at Samaritan, including cesarean sections (C-Sections), twin or triplet births, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and more — all close to home.
Dr. Firouzi offers a wide range of surgical services, including minimally invasive procedures with the da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgical System. For diagnoses like endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain, or for common procedures like tubal ligations or hysterectomies, robotic-assisted surgery helps patients heal faster and with less pain.
Patients also experience fewer complications with a robotic-assisted procedure. For example, there is a reduced risk of hernias following a hysterectomy, as there is no noticeable scar or corresponding scar tissue.
Dr. Firouzi, Lizzy Bonadies, and their team offer a variety of comprehensive care services for women. This includes well-woman visits, adolescent care, family planning and birth control, infertility counseling, and more. Samaritan is committed to providing state-of-the-art OB-GYN care for women of all ages in the greater Columbia Basin region.
Menopause typically begins between the ages of 40 and 55 and can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, or mood changes. To help patients feel their best, Samaritan offers menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace declining hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be available as well.
These treatments may be offered in the form of a pill patch, or cream. Insurance may cover a portion of these treatments in a hospital setting.
Women’s healthcare is personal, and Samaritan takes it seriously. For more information or to schedule an appointment with our OB-GYN department, please visit samaritanhealthcare.com/contact-us.