For Mom

• Gowns
• Robe
• Slippers
• Underpants
• Nursing bra
• Nursing pads
• Loose clothing to wear home
• Comb or brush
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Cosmetics
• Lotion
• Hair dryer and curling iron (electrical items need to be checked by the hospital before they're used)

You may also want to consider:

• Tape player and music for labor
• Snack for your coach
• Books and magazines
• Cameras, film, batteries (pictures may be taken at any time during your stay)

For Baby

• Cap and blanket
• Outfit for going home (and other clothing if you want)
• Car seat
• Baby book

When should I call the doctor and come to the hospital?

 Follow what your doctor tells you about coming to the hospital. Call your doctor if you have any questions. Call the hospital at 336-651-8100, if you are unable to reach your doctor.

Where to park?

You may park in the parking lot beside the Emergency Room. Come in the Emergency Room door and tell the registration clerk at the desk your name. If you have been pre-admitted, they will have your information ready. You will be taken to the New Beginnings Birthing Center on the second floor.

What will happen when I'm admitted?

When you get to the Birthing Center, the nurse will check to see how your labor is progressing. You will be asked several questions such as:

• How do you wish to control the pain you may feel in labor?
• Are you going to breast-feed or bottle-feed?
• Who is the baby's doctor going to be?
• If you have a boy, do you plan to have him circumcised?

Samples of blood and urine may be taken. After you are settled in your room, the nurse will use a fetal heart monitor to check the baby's heartbeat and your contractions. Two belts will be placed around your abdomen. You will be able to see a pattern of your contractions and the rate of the baby's heartbeat. You will need to stay in bed while the monitor is on. At other times, you may get up, walk, take a shower, use the rocking chair or sit in any comfortable position your doctor allows.

Your support person may stay with you in the labor and birthing area. Your support person may be anyone you choose. Visitors will be limited for you and your baby's safety.

Many mothers find music helps them relax. Feel free to listen to any music you have brought.

You should talk about pain relief with your doctor ahead of time. The amount of pain each mother feels during labor is different and medicine is given based on her needs.

For help in preparing what pain control would be best for you, call the New Beginnings Birthing Center at 336-651-8547.

Some women choose to use anesthesia for pain control during the labor process:

• IV medicine: eases the pain of a contraction. Usually given through your IV, it may make you dizzy or light-headed and is usually not given the last hour before birth
• Intrathecal narcosis: the doctor injects medicine into the sack of fluid in your back
• Epidural anesthesia: a pain reliever that produces loss of sensation in the lower part of your body. A combination of drugs are injected into your lower back and repeated doses can be given through a catheter placed in the back

During labor, the nurse will ask you about the amount of pain you are having. When it's time for your baby to be born, your doctor may give you a shot to numb your bottom.

Other comfort measures may include:

• Relaxation
• Breathing techniques
• Massage
• Use of focal points
• Music
• Hot and cold packs
• Changing positions often

When the Baby is Born

Most mothers will give birth in the same room as they labored. The room is an LDR- Labor-Delivery-Recovery. After the baby is born, he or she will be placed in a warming bed for a short time. Then you may hold the baby, take pictures or videos and begin breast-feeding if you choose to.

Bracelets with matching identification numbers are put on the baby, the mother, and another person of the mother's choice. The baby will be weighed and measured and have its first bath. The family may help with these things at this special time. The baby will also get medicine drops in the eyes and a vitamin K shot in the leg.

You and Your Baby

After the recovery period, the mother will be moved to a room in the postpartum unit. Your baby may stay with you in your room. This is a good time for bonding with your new baby. The baby is awake and alert the first few hours after birth. You may spend time with your baby and begin to discover the wonders of your newborn. The nurse is here to help with feeding, baby care, self-care information and to answer any questions you may have. We hope the mother will use the time the baby sleeps as her rest periods at the hospital and at home. Also, there is a special care nursery, if your baby needs extra care. Moms need to drink a lot after the birth of her baby. For your convenience, drinks and snacks are kept at the nurses station.

Information About Visitors

Having a baby is an exciting time and should be shared. But don't let well-wishing friends and relatives tire you. If you are starting to feel tired while you have company, it's fine to say so. The nurse will be glad to handle this situation for you, if needed. Visitors will be asked to wait in the waiting room during certain procedures being done in the patients room. They are not permitted to wait in the hallway for safety and patient privacy reasons. Please check with the nursing staff for our visitation policy. The Gift Shop is in the hospital lobby in case you've forgotten something or if big brother or big sister would like to get a gift for the baby.

After your delivery, you will be given an information booklet to prepare for your discharge. This booklet contains detailed instructions to help you take care of yourself and your baby when you go home. The booklet includes warning signs, when to call your doctor, important newborn safety information, and an appointment schedule for yourself and the baby. Your nurse will review the guide with you before discharge and encourage you to ask questions.

There are several procedures and tests that will be performed before your baby goes home.

• Hearing test - This usually only takes a few minutes and is not painful. You will be informed of these results, and any need for follow-up.
• When your baby is 24 hours old, a test called a Newborn Screen will be done. Blood will be taken from the baby's heel and sent to a state-approved lab for testing. You will be notified of results only if additional testing is required.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends prevention of Hepatitis B infection by a series of 3 vaccinations. The first injection will be given before discharge. You will be given an immunization record and schedule for further vaccinations.

A hospital representative will visit with you after the birth of your baby to obtain information for the birth certificate.

Please contact the Health Information Department if you have questions about the birth certificate. To receive a copy, contact the Wilkes County Register of Deeds, 500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 1000, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697. The phone number is 336-651-7351.

You have the option of having your baby's picture taken and purchasing packages through the company. The package prices and additional information can by provided at your request.

For your baby's safety, North Carolina law requires that your baby be properly restrained in a car seat. The New Beginnings staff will ask that your car seat be brought to the department before discharge. They will assist you in checking your car seat for proper function and fit.

The length of your hospital stay is usually 1-2 days, depending on you and your newborns recovery. You may call the department 336-651-8285 and speak to a nurse if you have questions after you go home.

If you have questions about breastfeeding, please call 336-651-8547.