Having a baby is both an exciting and anxious time in your life. To help you prepare for this event the Women's Life Center at Cleveland Regional Medical Center is here for you. We are proud to offer Mother Baby Care during your stay at our center of excellence. Giving birth and becoming a family is an important milestone in your life.

ADMISSION TO THE HOSPITAL:
When that special time comes and you think that you might be in labor we encourage you to park in our express delivery area (located outside the Emergency Department). Upon your arrival to Cleveland Regional Medical Center you will be greeted at our express delivery entrance and escorted up to the labor and delivery area by one of our friendly staff members.

LABOR & DELIVERY:
When you are enter the labor and delivery area one of our experienced nurses will assess your labor and provide support to you and your family throughout the delivery process. Once you are in active labor you will be officially admitted to the hospital. Your support person is welcome and encouraged to actively participate in giving you emotional and physical support. After the delivery of your baby you will have time to cuddle, hold and feed your new baby. This is such a special time for you and your partner. You will stay in the labor and delivery area where your nurse will help you begin to breastfeed if you choose this form of feeding. When it is time to go to the Mother Baby Care area you and your baby will be transferred together to your room.

MOTHER BABY CARE:
Research has found that it is better for you and your baby to be kept together in your room so you can get to know one another. Knowing this, we at Cleveland Regional Medical Center encourage you to keep your baby with you during your entire stay. This type of care is designed to help mothers and family members to bond with the new baby by having a designated nurse care for both mom and baby during their hospital stay. This nurse is dedicated to the mother's recovery and helping to make the time in the hospital one of a bonding experience for mother and baby. One of the many advantages of the Mother Baby Care model is that it promotes successful breastfeeding by keeping mother and infant together while developing confidence in the mother's new role. It also allows mother's the opportunity to get to know their baby's needs in a supportive atmosphere.

Women who are recovering from a Cesarean birth or other birth complications are assured that if they are unable to care for the newborn personally, they still have the opportunity to have their babies in the room with them. The designated mother baby nurse will care for both so that mom may be close to her child.

COMFORTS OF HOME:
During your hospital stay you will find that the Women's Life Center offers some unique features that make it feel like home. Each Tuesday and Friday we feature something that we call "Tea Time". This is where a volunteer will come to your room at 2:00 p.m. on the designated days and serve you hot tea and fresh cookies. Another special treat that we offer for our new moms is the option to call down for room service breakfast each day rather than waiting for breakfast to be served at the scheduled hospital time. We want you to feel all the comforts of home while receiving excellent patient care!

DURING YOUR STAY YOU WILL LEARN:
A nurse assigned to care for you and your baby will be available to answer questions and provide support for your new family. She will teach you how to care for yourself and your baby. Your care will be individualized based on your unique needs. During your stay you will learn:

Mother Care

• Perineal Care
• Incisicion Care
• Nutrition and diet
• Breast Care
• Naps/Rest
• Activity and exercise

Baby Care

• Feeding
• Diapering
• Safety/car seat use
• Care of the navel
• Care of the circumcision
• Sleeping positions

REST:
You are encouraged to rest while baby is sleeping, day or night. Your support person is not viewed as just a visitor but as someone who is encouraged to participate in baby care. In some cases, your support person may be staying overnight with you and is encouraged to support and help you with the baby's care. The postpartum suites provide a comfortable sleep accommodation area for your support person.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:
For safety reasons we ask that you not carry your baby in your arms in the hospital hallways, a crib is provided for your baby's safety. The crib may be pushed in the hallways to allow you to walk freely outside of your room. Other measures include:

• All staff members of the Women's Life Center are required to wear hospital photo identification badges with pink trim around their pictures. Staff should introduce themselves to you and present photo identification before requesting your baby.
• Code Alert security system bands on all babies on the unit
• Newborn babies are never left alone while in the hospital

FEEDING YOUR NEWBORN:
For a baby, feeding time is an important time to build trusting relationships with the people who love and care for them. Here at Cleveland Regional Medical Center we believe that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies. Our Lactation Services Department is available to you for breastfeeding consultations while you're an inpatient, outpatient appointments for feeding difficulties, back to work advice, newborn weight checks, breast pump and breastfeeding equipment sales.

DISCHARGE:
When the time comes for you to leave the hospital you will be asked if you have an age appropriate car seat available for your newborn to travel home in. You will also be instructed on any remaining concerns or questions that you may have for you and your baby that may not have been resolved during your stay. You will then be placed in a wheelchair while holding your new baby and escorted to the lobby by one of CRMC's staff members.

For more information, please call 704-487-3824.