Can We Take Pictures?

Many couples ask if they can take pictures during their labor and delivery. This is one of the choices you need to be considering.

You may take still photos at anytime. You may also video before and after delivery, but videography of the delivery is not allowed. Your nurse will let you know after delivery when it is ok to turn on your video camera.

How Many Other People Will Be In My Delivery?

Couples are often curious as to how many people will actually be present during delivery. Your doctor and L&D nurse will be there. Another nurse will usually scrub in to assist your physician and an additional nurse may come to help your L&D nurse. Everyone will have a purpose and a job to do.

If you should have a Cesarean Section, you will also have nurses from the nursery to care for your baby. A pediatrician will be present to assess your newborn right away. Anesthesia personnel will also be there to assure your comfort during the procedure.

We value your privacy and will not allow anyone in during your delivery who does not have a reason to be there.

How Many People Can Be In Delivery With Me?

How many support persons you would like with you during delivery is one of the choices you need to be considering.

Most physicians will allow a total of three support persons (this includes your husband or significant other). Some physicians, however, may choose to limit the number to one or two, depending upon their preferences and specific situations.

This is a very personal and intimate time in your life and the decision to include others for delivery is for the two of you to make. If you find that when you think of a certain person in delivery it makes you smile, that is an excellent reason to ask them to join you. If, however, the thought of a certain person in your delivery causes you tension now, then it will probably be stressful at the actual time, as well.

You will never again have the opportunity to give birth to this child, make this experience what you want it to be by making the choices that are best for the two of you.

How Many People Can Come With Me To The Hospital?

You may have as many friends and family in the waiting room as you would like. Visitation in Labor & Delivery is usually limited to three people at one time, but they may swap out throughout the day to visit with you.

To access your room in Labor & Delivery, your family and friends will need to use the intercom at the right of the locked, double doors to L&D. This is necessary for two reasons. First, this is a real-life maternity ward and occasionally emergencies do happen. Using the intercom allows us to make sure the hallways are as clear as possible during emergency situations. Secondly, using the intercom allows us to make sure you are properly covered before your friends and family enter. We value your privacy at Springhill Medical Center and will take all the precautions necessary to help maintain that privacy.

How Much Can The Baby Stay In The Room With Me?

Your baby can spend as much time with you during the day as you would like. Please use this time as an opportunity to practice caring for your baby while you have the Nursery and Postpartum nurses available as resources.

Our pediatricians do ask that the babies be present in the nursery first thing in the morning for examinations. They like to examine all their babies and then come to Postpartum and talk to all their mothers. While your newborn is in the Nursery is an excellent time to take a shower and prepare for your day.

Anytime throughout the day, if you feel you need a break or a nap, please feel free to call the nursery to pick up your baby.

Your baby can stay in your room with you during the night if you have someone else in the room committed to being awake and keeping an eye on the baby. So you both can get rest, however, you may prefer to have the baby sleep in the nursery and come to you when he or she shows signs of hunger. If you are breastfeeding, your baby will not be given formula or pacifers without your knowledge and consent.

Is There A Security System For The Babies?

Never has a baby been abducted from Springhill Medical Center, and we intend to keep it that way!

We have always had wonderful security measures in place and have added to them an electronic security system. After your baby's first bath, a bracelet will be placed on your baby's ankle which has the sensor for this electronic security system. The sensor will set off the security alarm anytime baby goes close to an exit. For this reason we ask that you do not carry your baby in your arms through the hospital hallways. Also, at Springhill Medical Center, all personnel who handle infants are required to wear a special, color-coded name badge. This colored band changes at periodic intervals. Your nursery nurse will tell you what color to expect that band to be.

When Can I Get An Epidural?

When you receive your epidural is determined by your physician. Some physicians desire you to have reached active labor, or four centimeters dilation, before getting an epidural. Others simply desire you to be in a good labor pattern. This is a good topic to discuss with your physician so you will know what to expect.

Where Do I Go If I Am In Labor?

If you are coming into the hospital in labor, come through the Emergency Department, at the rear of the hospital. Tell the registration clerk that you are a patient for Labor & Delivery. They will need your driver's license, insurance card and your insurance co-payment. When they have completed the registration process, personnel from Labor & Delivery will escort you to your labor room on the second floor. For your safety, we will ask that you ride by wheelchair.

Where Do I Go If I Am Having A C-Section?

If you are entering the hospital for a scheduled C-Section, you will need to come through the main admitting office on the first floor.

You will need your driver's license, insurance card and insurance co-payment. You will need to arrive two hours before your scheduled C-Section time.

Once the admitting clerk has completed your registration, you will go directly to Labor & Delivery.

Please remember, if you are coming in for a scheduled C-Section, do not eat or drink.

Where Do I Go If I Am Scheduled For An Induction?

If you are scheduled for labor induction, you will need to come through the main admitting office on the first floor. You will need your driver's license, insurance card and insurance co-payment. You will need to arrive at the hospital one hour before your scheduled induction time.

Once the admitting clerk has completed your registration, you will go directly to Labor & Delivery.

If you are coming to the hospital for an induction of labor, please do not eat or drink.