Preparing for a Baby

Education helps ensure healthy beginnings

Please take advantage of the brief time you’ll be staying with us to ask any questions you might have about your infant’s care. We want to make sure you learn all you can about caring for your baby so you feel confident and well prepared when you leave us.

We offer a full range of classes and a wealth of knowledge that will ease your journey to parenthood, or for experienced parents, refresh your memory. Certified childbirth educators provide a supportive learning environment and feature topics on childbirth preparation, breast-feeding, newborn parenting, epidural anesthesia, Cesarean births and infant CPR. You can even participate in our online childbirth education program in the comfort of your own home.

Learn more

Pre-registration

When it’s time to have your baby, paperwork will be the last thing on your mind. Our hospitals have pre-admission packets that can be picked up, filled out, and returned, or you may read all information and fill out the form online.

Selecting a pediatrician

In the excitement of pregnancy, some parents forget a very important task: choosing a pediatrician for their baby. You can get referrals from friends and family, your health insurance plan or your obstetrician.

Know your health plan

Health insurance plans are not all alike, so it’s important that you understand what your health plan covers before you are ready to deliver. Most health insurance plans require a written request for change of coverage within 30 days of your child’s birth. If you don’t enroll your newborn according to your insurance company’s policy, you will likely have to wait until the next open enrollment period of your health plan to get coverage for your child. We urge you to contact your employer or health insurance company as soon as possible to ensure that your newborn is covered under your medical plan.

Cesarean delivery interview

If you are scheduled for a C-section, our preplanning department will call you several days before to coordinate all preoperative activities. These include making sure that you have signed all the necessary forms, directing you to required lab work and answering any questions you might have.

What to bring to the hospital

Several weeks before your due date, you’ll want to pack a small bag to take with you to the hospital. Please bring:

Nightgowns and underwear (front-button gowns and nursing bras for breast-feeding)
Robe and slippers
Toiletry items and cosmetics
Writing materials and important telephone numbers
Social Security numbers for you and the baby’s father/parent
Baby blankets
Going-home outfits for you and your baby

Please leave valuable jewelry and large amounts of money at home. We cannot assume responsibility for these items.

When it’s time to be admitted

Your doctor will discuss with you when you should come to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, you’ll be greeted by staff who will monitor your labor progress. The father/parent or support partner may stay with you during your evaluation. The father/parent or support partner may stay with you during your evaluation.