Preparing for Your Hospital Stay

When you arrive at the Childbirth Center, we will draw your blood and check your vitals—blood pressure, pulse, breathing, oxygen levels and temperature. We’ll continue to closely monitor these stats throughout your stay.

An IV will be placed, and remain in until after you deliver. You may receive medications for pain, to stimulate labor or antibiotics. A monitor will be applied to check the baby and monitor your contractions. Some activity is encouraged to help labor progress, such as walking, side-to-side turning, squatting and knee-chest.

Vaginal exams will be done to check labor progress. You may request epidural anesthesia. You may be given ice chips, sips of liquids or popsicles. Frequent urination is encouraged.

When you arrive at the Childbirth Center, we will draw your blood and check your vitals—blood pressure, pulse, breathing, oxygen levels and temperature. We’ll continue to closely monitor these stats throughout your stay. A monitor will be applied to check the baby and an IV will be placed to administer medication. The IV will remain in place for a minimum of 24 hours.

Before surgery, your lower abdomen will be shaved and washed. Your OB/GYN and anesthesiologist will come in to speak to you and answer your questions. Once you are in the operating room, you will receive anesthesia and a catheter will be placed to drain the bladder.

• Blood pressure, pulse, breathing, vaginal bleeding and your uterus will be checked frequently for the first few hours, then once per shift.
• Blood work will be drawn the morning after delivery.
• A normal diet may be resumed after a vaginal delivery.
• After a c-section, your diet will gradually increase.
• You will be given help on your first trip to the bathroom.
• You’ll learn how to clean and care for your stitches. Ice packs, ointments or sprays may be used for stitches/hemorrhoids as needed.
• Pain medication is available if needed.
• For c-section deliveries, oxygen levels, incision and dressing will be monitored.
• For c-section deliveries, you will be asked to cough and breathe deeply every two hours.
• For c-section deliveries, you will have a compression device placed on your legs until you begin walking. Nurses will help you sit up on the side of the bed within 12 hours of delivery and will help you walk within 24 hours of delivery.

• Kangaroo care is encouraged for at least an hour after delivery, or until baby has finished breastfeeding.
• Identification bands and security bands will be applied shortly after delivery.
• Baby’s mouth and nose will be suctioned to remove mucous.
• Medications will be given, including eye ointment, Vitamin K and Hepatitis B Vaccine.
• Temperature, pulse and breathing will be checked frequently at first, then every shift.
• Blood pressure and weight will be checked daily.
• Cord care will be done every shift.
• Circumcision and care of circumcision will be reviewed with parents who consent to have their newborn baby boy circumcised.
• Blood work will be completed during baby’s second night in the hospital.
• Baby will receive a bath after 8 hours of age.
• Hearing screening will be completed at or after 12 hours of age. Referrals will be made as appropriate.
• Paternity Acknowledgement Form/Birth Certificate will be reviewed.
• Car seat testing will be done for low birth weight or pre-term babies.
• Most babies are required to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 48 hours before discharge.

During your stay at the hospital, the following will be provided for mom:

• Medications, pads, creams and lotions
• Ice packs and peri bottle
• Toiletries (if needed)
• Breast pump and supplies
• Lanolin ointment for breastfeeding

During your stay at the hospital, the following will be provided for baby:

• Diapers and wipes
• Shampoo, lotion and diaper cream
• Onesies and sleep sacks

While the hospital will provide many of the items needed for postpartum and newborn care, you may want to bring personal items to help you feel more comfortable.

For mom:

• Pajamas or comfortable clothing
• Socks or slippers
• Nursing bras/tanks
• Toiletries, toothbrush and toothpaste

For baby:

• Nursing pillow
• Outfit for hospital photos
• Going home outfit
• Baby book
• Car seat (already installed)

Other:

• Phone
• Camera
• Chargers