Western Baptist's family-centered obstetrics program offers many options that let you custom-design your maternity experience.

Preregistration

You may preregister for your hospital stay online or by calling (270) 575-2979. Then, when the big day arrives, all you have to do is take a deep, cleansing breath and proceed directly to the Birthing Center.

Visitation in Labor & Delivery

Support people such as the significant other, coach, or a close friend may accompany you in the birthing room.  Visitation of other family members and friends is flexible and to the discretion of the physician, nurse, and patient. Friends and family members can wait in the Family Waiting Room, where a small kitchen, phone booths, and restrooms are available for their comfort and convenience.

Capturing the Big Event on Film

The birth of a child provides many moments for the family scrapbook --- photos or videos that will be cherished for many years. Both cameras and hand-held video cameras are permitted during labor and immediately following delivery. However, because the safety of both mother and child is of paramount importance, we must restrict the use of tripods. The delivery procedure requires a variety of medical equipment and a number of hospital personnel working quickly and efficiently. Therefore, photography or videotaping should not be done at the time of delivery. For similar reasons, no photographic equipment may be used during anesthetic procedures.

Anesthesia Available 24 Hours a Day

An anesthesiologist is available to all Birthing Center patients 24 hours a day. Pain medication options for laboring mothers at Western Baptist Hospital include:

• Sedative pills, such as Seconal and Nembutal, which don't relieve pain but can help an exhausted mother sleep;
• Tranquilizers, such as Phenergan, Vistaril and Valium, which can lessen nausea and anxiety, but again, don't relieve pain;
• Narcotics, such as Morphine, which can take the edge off pain, dulling it so the mother can relax, but do not take the pain away completely;
• Epidurals, given through a needle and tube which are inserted and left in place in the lower back, once the mother has dilated to four centimeters. Epidurals provide pain relief from the belly down and can be used for labor or for Cesarean delivery;
• Spinals, which are given as a single injection of drugs into the mother's spinal canal prior to a forceps or Cesarean delivery;
• Pudendal blocks, which numb the lower vagina and perineum; and
• Local anesthesia, which can be used to numb the entire perineum for a brief period of time, usually for repair of an episiotomy.

The Stork's Nest

The Stork's Nest is an on line nursery that gives proud parents the opportunity to "show off" their newborns on the Internet. In today's society, it's not unusual for families to be scattered all over the country - or even all over the world. No matter how far away you are from family and friends, they can still share in your joy and even express their congratulations by writing a message in your Guest Book.

Rooming-In

For families who want to personally participate in giving extended care to their babies, rooming in is an option. If you do not choose to room-in, your newborn will be lovingly cared for in our nursery.

Feeding Schedule

If you choose to have your baby cared for in the nursery, the baby will be brought to you for scheduled or "demand" feedings, depending on your preference. Western Baptist also has lactation consultants as well as nurses, certified as breastfeeding counselors, on staff to answer your questions about breastfeeding and help you get started.

Visitation in the Postpartum Area

Visiting hours are structured to allow your family and friends to be with you on a convenient schedule, as well as give you a chance to rest during your hospital stay:

1. Fathers and support people are allowed unrestricted visitation and may stay overnight in the room with you.
2. Grandparents, brothers/sisters, and other family members or friends may visit with mother and baby at any time, as long as they do not have a contagious disease

For More Information

For more information about the family-centered obstetrics program at Western Baptist Hospital, call (270) 575-BABY. We look forward to meeting you and sharing your childbirth experience.

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