After Baby is Born
Your newborn will be wrapped in snugly warm blankets and cradled in your arms as soon as possible. This calms your baby and regulates brain waves to promote brain health. Your baby will be evaluated by a maternity nurse who is certified in neonatal resuscitation. State law requires that your baby’s eyes be treated with an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. An injection of Vitamin K is also given to ensure initial clotting of your baby’s blood. In addition, a hearing test will be performed on your newborn. For more information about the hearing screening test click here. All efforts will be made to minimize separation of mom and baby throughout these routine treatments and tests.
Our maternity nurses and Certified Lactation Consultants are eager to assist you in this wonderful opportunity to bond with your newborn in a supportive and caring environment. Our nursery is available as a safe and comfortable alternative should the need arise. We encourage you to keep your baby with you as much as possible during your stay. This will help you tune into your newborn’s needs and develop more confidence in caring for your baby before discharge. For more information about our breastfeeding support group, click here.
Your baby will have a complete examination by a pediatrician and a second exam will be given prior to discharge. If your baby’s doctor is affiliated with Milford Regional, a maternity nurse will notify him or her soon after your baby is delivered. If your baby’s doctor is not affiliated with our Medical Center, a member of our PediTeam (pediatric hospitalist) will be assigned to care for your newborn during your stay in The Maternity Center. If you give birth to a boy, you will need to decide whether or not to have him circumcised. This minor surgical procedure is performed shortly after birth by your doctor. Your signed consent is required to have this procedure performed.
You may want to discuss circumcision with your chosen pediatrician. For more detailed information on circumcisions, click here. To help you prepare for the care of your baby and yourself following delivery, a Baby & Me instructional booklet will be provided as well as educational videos. Our nursing staff prides itself on providing personalized attention to each new family. If your baby requires a longer stay, we will provide complimentary overnight accommodations for you and a support person.
Security
As part of our security system, matching identification bracelets will be placed on mother and baby immediately after birth. The father (or significant other) is provided with a bracelet as well during the visit. He/she must keep the bracelet on throughout the entire hospital stay. In addition, each Milford Regional maternity nurse wears distinctive security identification, which is discussed upon admission. Mothers are encouraged to insist that anyone handling their infant show this badge.
The mother and/or father (or significant other) may go to the nursery to get their baby and bring him/her to the mother’s room. It is important to note that the infant must be transported in the bassinet and not in your arms. At this time, the nurse will identify the infant and mother/father (or significant other) by checking both bracelets.
Newborns are also protected with an ankle bracelet armed with a security transmitter which triggers an alarm and automatically locks all doors to the Maternity Center when the baby nears any entrance or exit. The alarm is also triggered if the door is opened from the outside and the baby is carried out.
The Maternity Center is locked down 24 hours a day; individuals are “buzzed in” through an intercom system which connects them to the nurses’ station. 24-hour surveillance cameras are also strategically located throughout the floor for added security.
Meals for Baby & Mom
All babies need to be fed when they are hungry (on demand). Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, our staff will assist you. Instruction is available for mothers to learn more about infant feeding. Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are ready to address any of your concerns before delivery, during your stay at our Maternity Center or after discharge. Sometimes a simple phone call can help resolve an issue, or appointments to meet one on one with a consultant can be made by calling 508-422-2960. Through our new dining program, moms can make selections from an extensive menu anytime of the day between 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. A microwave and small refrigerator are also available for special foods from home.
Eager Visitors
While awaiting the birth of your baby, family and friends have access to a spacious family waiting room. Your baby’s father (or support person), grandparents and siblings are welcome to visit any time you wish. Because rest is so important to new moms, we ask that all other guests observe the visiting hours of 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. To protect your newborn, a sibling health screening form should be completed before sibling visits. As an added precaution, those under the age of 14 will not be admitted unless they are the baby’s sibling.
Birth Announcement
Milford Regional is pleased to help share your joy with others by sending a birth announcement to the local newspapers. You will be given an announcement form to fill out if this is something you would like us to do.