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 to the OB Nurse's Desk where someone will direct you to the Birthing Center.

Visitation in Labor & Delivery

In addition to a spouse, coach or close friend, one additional person may accompany you in the birthing room with a physician's or nurse's approval. Other friends and family members can wait in the Family Waiting Room, where a small kitchen, phone booths, television, vending machines and restrooms are available for their comfort and convenience.

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 Demerol and 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 or five centimeters. Epidurals provide pain relief from the belly down and can be used for labor or for Caesarean delivery
• Spinals, which are given as a single injection of drugs into the mother's spinal canal prior to a forceps or Caesarean deilvery
• Pudendal blocks, which numb the lower vagina and perineum
• Local anesthesia, which can be used to numb the entire perineum for a brief period of time, usually for repair of an episiotomy.

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, dependin gon your preference. Western Baptist also has a lactation consultant 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:

• Fathers are allowed unrestricted visitation and may stay overnight in the room with you.
• Grandparents, brothers and sisters may visit with mother and baby at one of the following times: 9 to 10 a.m.; 1 to 2 p.m.; 5:30 to 6 p.m.
• Others over 14 years of age, as long as they do not have a contagious disease, may visit between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

The Stork's Nest

The Stork's Nest is an online nursery that gives proud parents the opportunity to "show off" thier 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.

eCards

Family and friends who'd like to congratulate new parents and baby may send WBH eCards to the happy family. eCards are processed weekdays and delivered by members of Western Baptist Hospital's Auxiliary.

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.