The birth of a baby is one of life’s precious miracles. For many families, some miracles come more easily than others. April and Michael Hornbuckle of St. John, have a deeper understanding of that better than most.
“After our first child, we tried getting pregnant again,” says April. “It didn’t happen easily and we suffered several miscarriages. After a few years, the emotional toll became unbearable and we finally gave up. That is when I discovered I was pregnant with Evan.”
Those years of trying gave them a strong foundation of experience. Their first child, a daughter, was born with a cleft lip. So when they saw the ultrasound of their second baby, they recognized right away that their second child, a boy, had a cleft palate.
“We were just so thankful to have a successful pregnancy, we knew we could handle the cleft palate,” says April. “But we also knew we needed a perinatal team that would be prepared for any possible complications. Community Hospital’s Family Birthing Center offered the highest level of care for both me and my baby before, during and after his birth.”
Community Hospital delivers the most babies in Northwest Indiana, making the hospital the most experienced in the area and one of the leading facilities in the state for newborn care. Recently, it became one of only a handful of facilities in Indiana to earn Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission. The voluntary certification program recognizes Joint Commission accredited hospitals for their commitment to achieving integrated coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.
“Perinatal Care Certification gives us an unparalleled advantage when it comes to preparing mothers for labor and delivery, while also being able to help them if complications arise,” says Ronda McKay, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services. “Situations can change and expectant mothers need to choose the place and the doctors who can manage those situations and deliver the best outcome.”
“Through his first year, Evan has had several surgeries and he’ll have several more in the future,” says April. “His greatest cheerleader is his big sister who has been through it all before and has the confidence of a rock star! Both of our children are such an inspiration. My husband and I are truly blessed.”
For more information about the Family Birthing Centers at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, visit comhs.org/baby.
