Lullaby announces new arrivals throughout hospital | Parents & kids

ALBEMARLE - In "It's A Wonderful Life," a bell rings every time an angel gets its wings. At Stanly Regional Medical Center, a 10-second music box version of Brahms’ “Lullaby” now plays throughout the hallways every time a baby is born.

With just a push of a button wired into the hospitals PA system at the nurses' station, Women's Services staff members announce the new arrivals immediately after birth.

“We were nervous about pushing the button after the first two or three births once it was installed, but now we race to see who can activate the music first,” says certified nursing assistant and obstetrics technician, Shelby Cagwin, of Women’s Services.

"We’re fortunate in our department because for the most part, our care is centered on the happiness of bringing little ones into the world,” she adds.  “It’s great to know we’re sharing this joy with others in the hospital, from patients to visitors and staff.”

And from patients to visitors to staff, perplexed looks turn to smiles once employees explain the meaning to the musical interludes.

“The new lullaby system is another way of saying thank you to patients, visitors and staff for choosing our hospital,” says Judy Doran, vice president and chief nursing executive.  “We want everyone to have an excellent birthing experience with fond memories, so these little touches are a natural complement to our expert care.”  

Approximately 250 hospitals across the country have added the lullaby feature.

And members of the Women's Services staff at Stanly Regional get to fight over who gets to push that button more than 700 times each year.