Giving birth is exciting and exhausting, but nothing quite compares to the moment you get to hold your baby for the first time. Congratulations!
Your first few hours and days may be a blur. We’ll help you ease right into the role of mom and dad.
Once your little one arrives, you, your baby and one other person you choose will receive ID bands with numbers that match. Numbers are matched again when you leave the hospital. For safety reasons, additional bands won’t be issued to anyone else.
Remember, you must have a car seat before you leave the hospital. Many of our hospitals offer car seat safety classes and can check your seat for correct installation. You just need to call and request additional information on dates and times. However, if your local facility doesn't have a member of staff able to perform the car seat safety check, you can use one of the United States Department of Transportation's Car Seat Inspection Stations.
At SCL Health, our hospitals are either designated as Baby-Friendly or follow Baby-Friendly practices. This means you’ll be encouraged to bond skin-to-skin, breastfeed and care for your baby at your bedside.
Baby-Friendly practices promote breastfeeding, which can give your baby all the nutrients necessary for the next six months and antibodies for protection from allergies and illnesses.
Notice: Using a pump during your hospital stay is occasionally needed. If you have a personal breast pump or hand pump please bring it with you to the hospital. Learn more about the breast pump national shortage.
If you’re new to breastfeeding or experience any difficulties, lactation specialists are available to offer support and resources after you leave the hospital.
See the benefits of breastfeeding.
For your convenience, you may print the attached documents to get a head start on the birth certificate applications prior to delivery. Please fill in all boxes including mother’s maiden name. Housing income and education levels are used for statistical information. This form is not viewed by anyone outside the hospital.
You’ll receive the official copy of the birth certificate from your health department about three to four weeks after you place the order. If you order in person, you’ll receive the birth certificate immediately.
All babies are screened for health issues that can be treated if they’re found very early in life. These may include:
Most newborns have normal results for blood tests and other screenings. If we detect any health or hearing issues, we’ll refer you and your baby to a specialist for follow-up care.
Other considerations include:
Consider your personal, religious and family traditions while you weigh the pros and cons of the surgery. We encourage you to consult your doctor and your baby’s doctor. But remember, it's your decision.
You’ve spent the past few months anticipating the birth of your baby. Now that you’re home with your little one, adjusting to your new role as a mom can start to wear on you, especially when your hormones are surging and you seem to cry at the drop of a hat.
Most of the time, this is a normal case of the “baby blues,” which will pass as your hormones stabilize and you get the hang of caring for your newborn. For one in five moms, however, that cloud sticks around longer than it should and may be a sign of postpartum depression.
