Having a baby comes with plenty of risks. That's why there's a move help train providers about the many high stress scenarios that unfold during childbirth.

The hospital in Cloquet is proud to have the first state-of-the-art labor and delivery simulator. It's been named Virginia.

Executive Director of Community Memorial, Rick Breuer, told us they've been looking at ways to advance care for years, especially in places where there aren't a lot of babies born.

"Childbirth is a natural event, surrounded by medicine just in case. We want our professionals to be practiced and prepared. No matter where you are, or what community you live in, those care settings are all safe and we all end up with a healthy mom and healthy baby," he told us.

This simulator could mean the difference between life and death for rural residents throughout the state.  Expectant mothers in rural areas are 9% more likely to have life threatening complications or even die, due partly to longer travel times.

Rural care providers will begin training early in 2022. Funding for the suite is from Blue Cross Blue shield in Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Breuer hopes to share this simulator with all kinds of providers, including EMS, medical school and nursing programs, and emergency room departments.

To watch the original report and see related stories, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/news/birth-simulator-mother-baby-pregnancy-health-care-hospital-cloquet/6338617...