BELIEVE INMAKING MOTHERHOOD A JOY

BELIEVE INMAKING MOTHERHOOD A JOY

BELIEVE INMAKING MOTHERHOOD A JOY

BELIEVE INMAKING MOTHERHOOD A JOY

WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS FAMILY BIRTHING SUITES AT WEST KENDALL BAPTIST HOSPITAL

The birth of a baby is an exciting time — perhaps one of life’s most special events. That’swhy the Beautiful Beginnings Family BirthingSuites at West Kendall Baptist Hospital were created with parents and families in mind. Ourwarm and comfortable environment and speciallydesigned birthing suites will help you relax as youprepare to welcome your newest family member.And our loving and professional staff will provideyou with the support you’ll need throughout eachstage of the birthing experience. In keeping withour patient- and family-centered care philosophy,we also encourage fathers, support partners, aswell as siblings and grandparents, to actively participate and share in this wonderful occasion.

Our ability to provide you with the best possible birthing experience does not end there.The latest technology is always readily availableto ensure excellent medical care for mothers

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and newborns. The obstetricians, anesthesiolo-gists and nurses on our staff are highly skilled intheir fields and are well-known for their expertcare and concern. And should your baby needextra attention, neonatologists are available 24 hours a day to provide your little one with specialized care.

If you have any questions about the BeautifulBeginnings Family Birthing Suites, don’t hesitateto ask your doctor or call our maternity preadmit-ting coordinator at 786-467-4804. To schedule a private tour, please call 786-467-2499. We’re hereto help prepare you for your stay in whatever waywe can.

All of us at the Beautiful Beginnings FamilyBirthing Suites feel privileged to assist you withthe birth and care of your newborn, and we thankyou for choosing to share this memorable event with us.

Education helps ensure healthy beginnings

Please take advantage of the brief timeyou’ll be staying with us to ask any questionsyou might have about your infant’s care. Wewant to make sure you learn all you can aboutcaring for your baby so you feel confident andwell prepared when you leave us.

Our Beautiful Beginnings Program forExpectant Parents offers a full range of classesand a wealth of knowledge that will ease yourjourney to parenthood, or for experienced parents, refresh your memory. Certified childbirtheducators provide a supportive learning environ-ment and feature topics on childbirth preparation,breast-feeding, newborn parenting, epiduralanesthesia, Cesarean births and infant CPR.You can even participate in our online childbirth

BEFOREYOUR BABY ARRIVES

education program in the comfort of your ownhome. Detailed information about these classesand programs, along with their fees, can befound in the Programs for Expectant Parentsbrochure.

It’s easy to register. All you need to do iscall 786-596-8748 weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,email BaptistChildbirth@BaptistHealth.netor log on to BaptistHealth.net/Childbirth for aclass schedule and to register online.

We recommend that you register as early as possible during your pregnancy. Class size is limited and enrollment is accepted on a space-available basis.

PreadmissionWhen it’s time to have your baby, paper-

work will be the last thing on your mind. West Kendall Baptist Hospital has a preadmis-sion packet containing all you’ll need to arrangefor your maternity stay. You can obtain thispacket from your doctor or by calling the mater-nity preadmitting coordinator at 786-467-4804.Please read the material carefully, complete allforms and mail them, along with a copy of yourinsurance card, to our maternity preadmittingoffice. It’s best to register as early as possibleduring your pregnancy.

Know your health planHealth insurance plans are not

all alike, so it’s important that youunderstand what your health plancovers before you are ready todeliver. Most health insuranceplans require a written request for change of coverage within 30 days of your child’s birth. Ifyou don’t enroll your newbornaccording to your insurancecompany’s policy, you will likely

have to wait until the nextopen enrollment

period of yourhealth plan

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to get coverage for your child. We urge you tocontact your employer or health insurance com-pany as soon as possible to ensure that yournewborn is covered under your medical plan.

Selecting a pediatricianIn the excitement of pregnancy, some

parents forget a very important task: choosinga pediatrician for their baby. You can get referralsfrom friends and family, your health insuranceplan or your obstetrician. Or, you can call thefree Baptist Health Physician Referral Serviceat 786-596-6557. Outside Miami-Dade County,call toll-free 1-800-228-6557. We also offer ourreferral service online at BaptistHealth.net.

Cesarean delivery interviewIf you are scheduled for a C-section, our

preplanning department will call you severaldays before to coordinate all preoperativeactivities. These include making sure that youhave signed all the necessary forms, directingyou to required lab work and answering anyquestions you might have. The preplanningdepartment can be reached at 786-467-2705.

What to bring to the hospitalSeveral weeks before your due date, you’ll

want to pack a small bag to take with you tothe Beautiful Beginnings Family BirthingSuites. Please bring:� Nightgowns and underwear (front-button

gowns and nursing bras for breast-feeding)� Robe and slippers� Toiletry items and cosmetics� Writing materials and important telephone

numbers� Social Security numbers for you and the

baby’s father� Baby blankets� Going-home outfits for you and your baby

Please leave valuable jewelry and largeamounts of money at home. West KendallBaptist Hospital cannot assume responsibilityfor these items.

When it’s time to be admitted Your doctor will discuss with you when you

should come to the hospital. Please go to theBeautiful Beginnings Family Birthing Suites(not the Emergency Department). TheBeautiful Beginnings Family Birthing Suites areon the fourth floor (4 North) of the hospital.Take the lobby elevator to the fourth floor andSecurity will give you directions. After 10:30p.m., the doors to the main entrance arelocked. Simply enter through the EmergencyDepartment and you will be escorted to theBeautiful Beginnings Family Birthing Suites.

Once there, you’ll be greeted by staff whowill monitor your labor progress. The father orsupport partner may stay with you during yourevaluation.

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The comforts of homeThe Beautiful Beginnings Birthing Suites at

West Kendall Baptist Hospital were speciallydesigned to create a relaxed atmosphere withminimal disruptions for your baby’s birth.

We offer room service dining for the convenience of our patients and their families.And we’re delighted to offer complimentary dinner for the mother’s support partner duringovernight stays, as well as a separate sleeper.

Labor and deliveryDespite the homelike setting, our qualified

physicians, specially trained nurses and techno-logically advanced equipment will provide youand your baby with the highest-quality obstetricalcare.

During labor and delivery, our nurses willassist you in every way possible. They will keepyou informed of your progress and administerany medications ordered by your doctor. Threefamily members or friends are allowed to staywith you in the birthing suite (this includes the

father or support partner). If you have a C-section, one person (the father or adult support partner) is permitted in the surgical area both during and after the baby’s birth.

After the baby’s birth and initial bonding, yournewborn will be transitioned into the nursery.During transitional periods, your baby’s heartrate, temperature and other important indicatorsof a newborn’s health and well-being will bemonitored for a few hours. The father or supportpartner may visit with the baby in the nursery.

You will be taken to a private room whereyou and your infant will be cared for together.Having your baby with you throughout your staywill allow you to learn his or her patterns andpreferences. Since some babies tend to sleep a lot the first few days, it’s the perfect time for parents to learn about their newborn and ask questions. Your nurse will answer those questions and offer guidance so that onceyou’re home, you will feel more confident abouttaking care of your newborn.

YOUR BABY’S BIRTH

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Grandparents and siblings are also encouraged to get acquainted with the newbornat this time and ask questions.

Family and friends visitationYour family and friends will want to meet your

baby as soon as possible; however, during thesefirst few days with your baby, it’s important to

spend some quiet time alone. Once you and yourbaby are transferred to your private room, familyand friends are welcome to visit 24 hours a day,seven days a week. We do encourage you tolimit guests to three at a time (not including thefather orsupport partner).

One person (such as the father or supportpartner) may spend the night in a sleep sofa provided in each room. The newborn’s siblingsmay visit at any time and will be asked to wearan identification bracelet; they will not beallowed to spend the night. All other children 12 and older are welcome. Children must beaccompanied by an adult at all times and muststay in the patient room while visiting. For theprotection, safety and well-being of our patientswe ask that visitors who have a cold or flu, orany other symptoms of illness, refrain from visiting during this time.

All visitors must have a photo ID to enterthe Beautiful Beginnings Family Birthing Suites.

Videotaping and photographyMost families want to capture this special

event on video or in photographs. For the safety and security of mothers, babies, staff

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and physicians, we ask that you follow theseguidelines. For a vaginal birth, videotaping andphotographing are permitted after the birth,once the baby is dry, clean and alert.Videotaping is not permitted for C-sections,and photographs are allowed only after thebaby is dry, clean and alert. No photographs orvideotaping are permitted while the staffchecks your newborn immediately after birth.Physicians and staff involved in the birth andcare of the mother and baby must give theirapproval to be included in any videotaping orphotographs. In case of an emergency, or atthe request of any healthcare provider, allvideotaping and photography must be stoppedimmediately. For the privacy of our patients,no videotaping or photography is permittedrelating to private patient information, includingshowing other patients and babies in yourvideos and photos.

Help with breast-feedingOur Lactation Services staff offers support

to you before you have your baby, while you arein the hospital and after you go home.

For information on prenatal breast-feedingclasses, call 786-596-8748, email BaptistChildbirth@BaptistHealth.net or log onto BaptistHealth.net/Childbirth. While you arein the hospital, our specially trained mother/babynurses will help you get off to a good start. Ourlactation consultants are also available shouldyou require additional assistance during your stay.

After you go home, you should schedule anappointment with a lactation consultant, locatedat Baptist Medical Plaza at Palmetto Bay, 8750SW 144 Street, Suite 206. While there, you’ll beable to discuss any questions or concerns thatyou might have. There is a fee for this service.Also available are breast pumps for rent or sale,as well as breast-feeding accessories. For moreinformation, call 786-596-2671 weekdays from9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Getting to know your babyJust as you must become accustomed to

your new routine at home, so must your baby.After you’ve been home for a few days, you’llbegin to know your baby’s personality and howto keep him or her satisfied. Please feel free tocall us if you have any questions after you gethome. Use the phone number given to you byyour nurse as you leave the hospital.

Staying healthyOnce you’re at home, we suggest the

following:� Limit your visitors so that you and your baby

have time to rest� Keep your baby away from crowds and people

who are sick, since babies are especially vulnerable to colds and flu

� Let people help you with housekeeping, mealpreparations, sibling care, etc.

� Eat nourishing foods and drink a lot of fluids� Avoid climbing stairs for the first few days� Tell your doctor if you experience any signs of

depression

ONCE AT HOME

Support and educationWe offer several support groups for new

parents, including:Breast-feeding Support Group

Provides support, information and encour-agement for an optimal breast-feedingexperience. You are encouraged to attendduring your pregnancy and after your babyis born. Call 786-596-2671 to schedule.

Baby’s First Year for New MomsOffers support for new moms of childrenfrom birth to age 1. The group provides theperfect setting to share experiences andconcerns with other parents. Babies arewelcome. Call 786-662-8106 to schedule.

You are why we’re hereWe look for every opportunity to make the

birth of your baby at West Kendall BaptistHospital’s Beautiful Beginnings Family BirthingSuites a comfortable and relaxed family experi-ence — one that will bring lasting memories foreach of you. To help us ensure quality care forfuture patients, you may receive a survey in themail asking for your evaluation of the care youreceived while in our birthing suites. After all,you’re why we’re here.

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Directory

West Kendall Baptist Hospital (main number) . . . . . 786-467-2000

Breast-feeding assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786-596-2671

Cesarean delivery interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786-467-2705

Beautiful Beginnings Programsfor Expectant Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786-596-8748

Maternity preadmitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786-467-4804

Referral to a pediatrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786-596-6557

Visit our website at WestKendallBaptistHospital.com

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9555 SW 162 Avenue � Miami, FLWestKendallBaptistHospital.com

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BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA