Texas Health & Human Services Redesignates Maternity Centers At STHS McAllen and Edinburg As Texas Ten Step Facilities

STHS Edinburg & STHS McAllen were redesignated as Texas Ten Step facilities for their implementation of successful breastfeeding practices

Welcoming a new infant into the world is a momentous occasion that can bring immense joy and excitement. But the experience may also bring about a set of challenges and adjustments, especially for first-time moms who may find the reality of caring for their newborn to be daunting.

One of the hurdles new and experienced moms must overcome is breastfeeding, which offers numerous benefits for mother and child.

For the baby, breastfeeding can lead to a reduced risk for diseases and conditions like asthma, type 1 diabetes and gastrointestinal infections, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while health benefits for mom include a decreased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and ovarian and breast cancers.

While it’s a natural process, it’s not always easygoing for mothers. Challenges like sore nipples, low milk supply, plugged ducts and engorgement can be frustrating hurdles. The intense physical and emotional demands of breastfeeding and postpartum life may result in burnout for breastfeeding mothers, with support crucial for overcoming difficulties and building confidence in their ability to nurse.

In the Rio Grande Valley, mothers can count on South Texas Health System for assistance and encouragement when it comes to breastfeeding.

The Maternity Center at South Texas Health System McAllen and The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg have been officially redesignated as Texas Ten Step facilities by the Texas Health and Human Services (Texas HHSC), which reflects the facilities’ commitment to providing excellent care for breastfeeding mothers and babies.

Developed in 1999 by Texas HHSC, Texas Ten Step recognizes birthing facilities that implement policies and practices that support moms and their babies with breastfeeding initiation. The program entails the incremental adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices that align with the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

“This redesignation means women in the Rio Grande Valley can expect to receive treatment in a way that respects their choices, supports their health and strengthens their family’s wellbeing,” says Graciela Moreno-Chavana, BSN, RNC-OB, EFM, Director of Women’s Services and Nurseries, The Maternity Center at STHS McAllen. “We’re committed to supporting nursing mothers by implementing evidence-based practices to promote breastfeeding, which research has proven to give babies a healthy start.”

In Texas, 86% of new mothers choose to breastfeed in the hospital, but only 24% continue to exclusively breastfeed until their baby is six months, per Texas HHSC. So, the TTS program works with birthing facilities like STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg to create environments where the following policies and practices are executed to support mothers’ informed infant-feeding decisions:

• Have a written infant feeding policy
• Provide staff education
• Provide prenatal breastfeeding education
• Place babies in skin-to-skin contact
• Support breastfeeding
• Give babies no food, or drink other than breast milk, unless medically necessary
• Practice rooming-in
• Encourage feeding on cue
• Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers
• Establish breastfeeding support after discharge

“By implementing and adhering to these policies, STHS is displaying is commitment to high-quality, family centered care,” says Chavana. “Our staff is dedicated to providing moms with important breastfeeding education, invaluable resources and continued support to help them and their babies get off on the right foot forward to achieve breastfeeding success and creating a positive experience for both mother and baby.”

For more information on the TTS program, visit texastenstep.org.

For more on the services offered at The Maternity Center at STHS McAllen, visit STHSMcAllen.com, For services offered at The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg, visit STHSEdinburg.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.