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The classes and waiting are behind you...the contractions have begun. Anticipation mixed with a little anxiety overwhelms you and it's off to the hospital.
We are honored to be sharing in one of the most exciting times in your life. That is why your comfort and convenience are a priority for us from the moment you reach the hospital until after you return home. Our staff is dedicated to providing a family-centered birthing atmosphere where you and your partner will feel as "at home" as possible during your stay with us. After all, having a baby at Saint Francis Hospital is about choices, family and caring.
Resources
Register for an epidural by your 28th week if your pregnancy is considered high risk and by 34 weeks if your pregnancy is considered normal.
View the Epidural Patient Education Video
When you arrive at the hospital, go to the Trauma Emergency Center entrance where you will be escorted to your birthing room. When you arrive at the hospital, go to the South entrance, take the elevator to the second floor and follow signs to Labor and Delivery. We know that many expectant moms want to share their birth experience with family members. That's why we encourage you to attend our Expectant Family Program classes with your partner and/or support person. Should you wish to have additional labor support, we can provide a referral to a certified doula.
Doulas
Saint Francis is committed to providing expectant families a range of choices realizing that each birth experience is as unique as each new baby. Our physicians and nurses are pleased to provide you with information regarding the availability of doula services in the community.
Doulas are not employees of Saint Francis Hospital but are fee-based, independent contractors hired directly by the expectant couple. They can add another dimension to the birth experience by providing additional support to the expectant mother. The word doula comes from ancient Greek and is now used to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth."
Doulas are women who assist a pregnant woman prepare for and carry out her plans for the birth experience. They work closely with the physician and nurses to help achieve the expectant families' birthing goals. For women without partners, the doula may be a source of focused, continuous emotional support throughout the labor process.
General Information
We encourage you and your husband or support person to develop a birthing plan and review it with your physician so that all of us can help you have the type of birth experience you desire. Things to consider include whether you wish to have a natural childbirth or utilize anesthesia such as an epidural.
An external fetal monitor may be placed around your abdomen to time your contractions and evaluate your baby's heartbeat. This information is used to determine how your baby is doing throughout labor and delivery and to track your progress through labor. Sometimes an internal monitor is used to gauge the baby's response throughout labor. Information from both the internal and external monitors can be accessed by nurses in your room or at the central monitoring station.
Also, you will have an intravenous line (IV) put into your arm. This is to provide you with fluids and medications for pain and nausea upon your request or as ordered by your doctor. Our staff will help you with any additional preparations necessary to prepare you for delivery.
You may find it more comfortable to stay in your hospital bed throughout labor or may prefer walking in the halls part of the time. Your doctor can advise you about acceptable activities during labor. While lying in bed, you may be asked to rest on your side, which helps to increase the blood flow to your baby.
Your doctor and nursing staff will monitor your condition as you progress through labor. If pain relief or nausea medication is needed or requested, it can be administered during labor, under the direction of your doctor. If you choose to have an epidural, an anesthesiologist may start it on your doctor's orders.
As your labor progresses, our nurses can guide you through your breathing techniques or other comfort measures that may help you manage the various stages of labor. During the final stages of labor, nurses will help you with positioning and pushing techniques that will help your baby make its way through the birth canal.
If complications should arise for you or your baby during labor or delivery, a surgical suite in the unit is available for Cesarean delivery.
Once your baby is born, there will be time for bonding in the birthing room before you are moved to a postpartum room. We encourage you to keep your baby in your room as much as you wish. We provide a newborn nursery that is available upon request should you wish to get some rest, shower, etc. Since the majority of our new mothers choose to breastfeed, we have certified lactation nurses available to help with feeding techniques and answer questions.
You're a Mom! (again or for the first time…it's still exciting!)
Your baby has arrived! Immediately following your delivery, an initial assessment of the baby's condition is performed. You and your baby will remain in the labor-delivery room for about an hour after delivery. This is a very special time of bonding and getting to know your new baby - you may even want to take advantage of this time and begin breastfeeding.
The Saint Francis Hospital South Internet Nursery is a service which allows parents to put a picture of their latest addition on the Internet so friends and family can view them online. If you would like to be a part of our Internet Nursery, First Foto will take a digital picture of your baby and it will be added to our Internet Nursery.
If you and your partner would like to have other visitors in the labor and delivery room, check with your doctor concerning requests for visitors in the labor and delivery area.
Once you have moved to your postpartum room, your baby will be given a complete newborn assessment either in the newborn nursery or at your bedside.
Friends and family members are welcome in the postpartum unit at Saint Francis. We encourage you to keep your baby in the room as often as you like. For that matter, if you would like to have your baby remain in your room during your entire stay, arrangements can be made to do so.
Among the special services we offer our new families is the "Newborn Channel", which highlights issues in breastfeeding, baby basics, safety concerns, dads and babies, post partum care and much more. Lactation consultants are available to give new mothers plenty of tips on successful breastfeeding.
We know every mom and every baby is unique. That's why the Saint Francis Hospital staff is dedicated to providing you with personalized care in order to achieve the birthing experience you desire.
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