Frequently Asked Questions for Visiting OB Patients
What is a Care Partner and when can he or she visit?
Upon admission, the patient is issued a Care Partner badge to be given by the patient to the person of her choice. A Care Partner is a family member or close friend, at least 18 years old, chosen by the patient to participate in the emotional, physical, educational, and spiritual support of the patient. The Care Partner may be with the patient anytime, at the patient’s discretion.
How many visitors are allowed in OB Outpatient/Triage Admissions?
A Care Partner may be in OB Admissions with the patient. Other family members in the waiting area may switch out with the Care Partner at the patient’s request.
How many visitors are allowed in the Labor Room?
The Care Partner and up to four (4) visitors may be in the Labor Room at any one time. When the Patient’s clinical condition warrants, nursing staff may restrict the normal Visiting Policies in order to do our job of providing the best care for our patient.
How many visitors may be present at the baby’s birth?
The Care Partner and up to two (2) visitors may be present for a vaginal birth if the patient desires.
Are Children allowed to visit the Labor & Delivery Unit?
For safety and infection reasons, only the brothers and sisters of the new baby are allowed to visit in Labor & Delivery with a responsible adult. The mother will be issued a blue special visitor arm bracelet for each of her children. The blue arm bracelet is to be worn by each sibling that will be visiting during the mother’s hospital stay. This bracelet will identify the siblings on the Labor & Delivery and Mother-Baby Units.
Can my other children be present at the birth?
Please discuss this question with your physician during your office visits. An adult other than the mother and the Care Partner must be designated as responsible for the children during the labor and birth.
The Waiting Room seems to be a long way from the Labor Rooms – can my visitors wait outside my room?
For the privacy and safety of other patients, visitors may not wait in the hall outside the Labor Rooms. Visitors crowding the halls may prevent necessary medical help from reaching the mom or baby in an emergency situation. Our renovation plans include a new waiting area close to the Labor & Delivery Rooms.
I am scheduled for induction of labor. When should I tell family members to come so that will not miss the birth?
Some moms undergoing induction are admitted to the High-risk Unit the evening before the scheduled induction and transferred to a Labor Room in the early morning. Other moms are scheduled to come into the hospital in early morning on the day of the induction. Some induced moms may give birth as early as lunchtime while most others give birth in late afternoon or early evening. Talk with your nurse or physician after your induction is started to get a more specific prediction.
Who can be present for the baby’s birth by cesarean sections?
Only the Care Partner may be present for routine cesarean sections.
When can the family see the new mom after a cesarean section?
New moms are usually in the Recovery Room for one and one-half to two and one-half hours, depending on the patient’s recovery status. After the new mom is stable, the Care Partner may visit in the Recovery Room. In order to safeguard the privacy of all Recovery Room patients, visiting by other family members is at the discretion of the Recovery Room nurse. Other visitors may see the new mom after she is transferred to the Mother-Baby Unit. If the baby is born after 9:00 p.m., we ask that visitors visit briefly and then take their leave so that the new mom may rest.
If my baby has not been born by 9:00 p.m., will my visitors have to leave
Family and friends my stay, but at 9:00 p.m. they will need to go to the GMH Visitor’s Desk to receive a Temporary Visitor’s Badge. Whenever a baby is born after 9:00 p.m., visitors are asked to visit briefly and then take their leave so that the new mom may rest.
What happens after the baby is born?
Any visitors who are awaiting the birth will be able to see the new arrival during the first hour of birth. Be aware that some new moms and dads reserve part of this time for breastfeeding and bonding before allowing other family and visitors to visit.
I would prefer only my husband and mother to be in the Labor Room with me, but I know my large family will come to the hospital. What should I do?
The best advice we can give you is to plan ahead and make your wishes known to everyone before labor starts. Enlist a trusted family member or friend to help you get the word out if you are uncomfortable discussing it. Another suggestion is to simply not to call anyone until the baby is born.
When are the mom and new baby moved to the Mother-Baby Unit?
Moms and babies move to the Mother-Baby Unit between one-and-half and two and one-half hours after the birth. After transfer, visitors will be asked to wait whole the nurse assesses the mom and baby.
What are the visiting hours for Mother-Baby Unit?
Immediate family may visit between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Extended family and friends may visit between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Your Care Partner and up to two (2) other adults may visit on the Mother/Baby unit.
Note: We recommend grandparents and healthy brothers and sisters to visit briefly after lunch because of new mothers are busy caring for themselves and the new baby.
Can children visit on the Mother-Baby Unit?
Because of risk of infection to the new baby, only brothers and sisters of the new baby may visit on the Mother-Baby Unit. All sibling visitors will need to wear the blue arm bracelet mentioned earlier in this document.
When are the babies in the nursery so I can see them all in the window?
Most babies stay with their mothers most of the time, so there will not be more than two or three babies in the window and any time.
My baby is staying in the nursery for additional treatment. Who can visit the nursery?
Generally, the baby’s parents and brothers and sisters over 14 years of age may visit in the nursery. The parents will be asked to designate a list of people who may visit their baby in the nursery. Visitors will be asked to provide picture ID and an identification number when visiting.
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