“I just felt confident the entire time.”

That’s how Kristine Hayward describes how she feels about her physician, Sylvia Ziegenbein, MD, and the care team that delivered her second child, Liam, on Jan. 14, who arrived three weeks early.

“She is always so calm,” says Hayward, a marketing strategist with Nebraska Medicine. “I experienced pre-eclampsia with my first child, Elena. Dr. Ziegenbein went over everything. She made sure we had all the information to make the best decision for me and my baby.”

Our Women's and Infant Services team, recently awarded the Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care by The Joint Commission, provides patients like Hayward the confidence and trust they need during such a vulnerable time. This prestigious designation reaffirms that Nebraska Medical Center is not only one of the safest hospitals for childbirth but also dedicated to excellence in everything we do.

The certification through the Joint Commission recognizes the ability of Nebraska Medicine to use the tools available to deliver the safest care to patients and an institutional commitment lower the risks of childbirth.

“Childbirth is a vulnerable time for families,” says Teresa Berg, MD, medical director, Women’s Services. “Our teams provide opportunities for families to partner with their care team based on their health, risk and personal desires. Our patients can expect shared decision-making to ensure both the needs of the mother and newborn are met.”

“I appreciate the way Dr. Ziegenbein cares for me,” adds Hayward. “She shows an interest in me as a person, not just a patient. She personalized every part of my care.”

It’s that level of care that likely contributed to a record number of births at Nebraska Medical Center in 2024. In total, the Women’s Services’ team delivered 2,056 babies, with the busiest day on Jan. 11, 2024, with 15 deliveries!

“Our team of labor and delivery nurses does an excellent job advocating for the patient's individual birth preferences, listening to their hopes and wishes for their birth experience, and getting creative to meet those wishes when things don’t go as planned,” says Allysa Anderson, staff nurse, Women's and Infant Services. “It’s important for us as nurses to deliver the highest quality care possible so we can provide the best outcomes and positive experiences for our patients and their families during one of the most important moments of their lives.”

“I feel fortunate to have a great doctor who's part of an expert team,” shares Hayward. “We’re really lucky to have that in our backyard.”