fter nine months of waiting for their babies to be born, couples with out-of-town family and friends don’t have to wait another minute to show off their new babies. Winthrop’s Institute for Family Care has partnered with BabyPressConference.com to offer new parents and their babies the opportunity to participate in a live, interactive “netcast,” via the Internet, shared with a pre-determined list of family and friends.

“Years ago, a woman might remain in the hospital for a week or more after delivering a baby, which gave friends and family ample opportunity to visit the hospital,” said Dev Maulik, MD, PhD, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Winthrop. “Nowadays, post-partum stays are shorter, and families are often geographically spread apart. This technology eliminates the barrier of distance and allows loved ones to share in the excitement of the first days of life.”

The system uses the latest streaming audio and video technology, enabling viewers to see and hear both the parents and newborn in a private, live action “netcast.” Netcast invitees communicate with the parents by typing questions, then hearing and watching the responses in full-motion video on their computer monitors.

Expectant parents must pre-register to participate on the BabyPressConference.com website. They are given a private family web page and are asked to put together a guest e-mail list. After the baby is born, parents schedule a time for their netcast in Winthrop’s Internet Broadcast Center, conveniently located on the maternity unit. The company sends an e-mail to notify invitees of when the netcast is scheduled. Guests must use a confidential password to access the event. The service is free to parents and guests.

In addition to the netcast, family and friends can purchase gifts for the new baby through BabyPressConference.com’s online store. Merchants include Babies “R” Us.com. The website also provides prenatal, postnatal, and child care information from American Baby magazine.

“Birth is one of the most exhilarating experiences in a family’s life,” said Deborah Johnson, BS, RN, CNN, Winthrop’ s Vice President - Administration. “Two-and-a-half years ago, we opened our New Life Center to provide a family-centered, homelike environment that is equipped with all of the necessary medical instrumentation. This new service enhances our commitment to providing families with a childbirth experience that is comfortable, enjoyable, and safe.”

For additional information on this innovative service at Winthrop, please call Children’s Health Services in the Institute for Family Care at 1-877-559-KIDS.