A new obstetric unit. E. H. Crump Women's Hospital and Perinatal Center, Memphis, Tennessee

Planning or renovation of a labor and delivery area is a major undertaking. It is often necessarily done in dynamic condition--changing facilities, numbers of deliveries, residents, students. Input from the large number of disciplines that provide care for mothers and babies should be sought in the early planning stages. Visiting other hospitals to see their facilities firsthand and to discuss the good and bad points of the facility is money well spent. A recent publication regarding design of perinatal facilities has much useful information. Early consultation with an architect who has designed several labor and delivery suites may help to prevent difficulties in the later phases of design. Imagination, forethought, perseverance, and a positive attitude will contribute to the success of this very difficult task.