By Kevin Hanson

The Courier-Herald

A desire to keep entire families comfortable during a special time prompted staff at Enumclaw Community Hospital to recently remodel three maternity rooms.

And some timely donations made it happen.

Following national trends, hospital officials hoped to turn three rooms from traditional, rather sterile-looking maternity rooms into cozy maternity "suites." Hospitals are making the birthing process more of a family affair, and making surroundings more comfortable for moms, both before and after the delivery.

Dreams became reality when the hospital landed a $6,000 grant from the Weyerhaeuser Foundation and a $5,000 gift from the Muckleshoot Charity Fund. That infusion of cash allowed the hospital to undertake its makeover plans, said Karen Warburton, office manager for the Enumclaw Community Hospital Foundation.

The first step was to remove a bed from the rooms and add a sofa that transforms into a bed. Aside from turning double rooms into singles, the sofa allows fathers to relax, even sleep, while mothers await delivery. A fresh coat of paint, tasteful wallpaper and new window treatments, lamps and furniture completed the transformation.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, said Shelly Pricco, who oversees the maternity operation. "The patients love it," she said.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com.