Labor and delivery

Many expectant mothers pack for their maternity hospital stay a few weeks before their baby is due. Consider including several nightgowns, a bathrobe, slippers, undergarments, toiletries and clothes for you and your baby to wear home. If you plan to breastfeed, remember to pack nursing gowns, bras and a nursing pillow for extra support during breastfeeding.

Many mothers like the comfort of an extra pillow from home and other personal items. Please be sure to leave valuables — including jewelry — at home, as we cannot be held responsible for their protection.

If you think you may be in labor and/or if your water breaks or begins to leak, call your doctor immediately.

During the day, you can enter through the hospital’s front entrance or through the emergency room entrance. You can then proceed to the second floor, where the labor and delivery department is located.

From 9:00pm to 5:00am, you can enter the hospital only through the emergency room entrance. If you need assistance, please notify our staff, and they will escort you to the labor and delivery department to be examined. If it is determined that you are in labor, you will be admitted to the hospital to have your baby.

If you will have a scheduled cesarean section (C-section), you will be given a time to arrive at the hospital that may be several hours prior to your scheduled surgery. This will allow your lab work to be completed and your nurse to prepare you for surgery. Report to the labor and delivery department on the second floor for registration and a staff member will direct you from there. On occasion, it may be necessary to temporarily reschedule your C-section due to unanticipated deliveries or emergencies. In the event this happens, a staff member will contact you with an estimated time of arrival.

One support person may be present for the C-section. Your support person will be required to wear appropriate surgical apparel and to sit by anesthesia. In case of an emergency, the support person will be asked to wait outside the operating room.

Family and friends are an important part of your new baby’s life. We kindly ask that patients and visitors follow hospital rules in regards to visitation. Visiting hours are posted throughout the Women’s Center. This ensures that our staff can give you and your baby the best possible care.

Your support person and other persons may be present for vaginal deliveries.

Children, siblings and other visitors are allowed in patient rooms at the judgment of the provider. Please remember that the number of visitors during any situation may be limited by the physician or nursing staff based on a patient’s condition.

A comfortable waiting room is available for family and friends of laboring mothers. We encourage you or your support person to call and update your family and friends often, as phone calls cannot be transferred into labor rooms.

Whether you are a first-time or seasoned mom, birth is a special event for your family. We understand the importance of being able to take photos and videos during the event. Our staff will discuss appropriate times for photography and videography with you prior to delivery, as there may be times when cameras are not allowed. Our staff will be available to answer questions.

A newborn’s immune system is immature. For this reason, we ask that visitors wash their hands before holding your baby. If your family and friends are sick, please ask them not to visit until they are healthy.

You can help limit your baby’s exposure to disease by asking family and friends to make child care arrangements before visiting you, as young children tend to be sick more often than adults.

Parents of male babies may choose to have their babies circumcised before they leave the hospital. Please discuss circumcision with your doctor to learn about the advantages, disadvantages and cost.

Many parents choose their baby's pediatrician and schedule an office visit to discuss their medical history and neonatal care before the child is born.

Your baby’s doctor will examine the baby within a few hours of birth to discuss baby care and to schedule his or her first office visit. If you need help finding a pediatrician, please call our Consult-A-Nurse® line for a physician referral.