Enjoying Your Pregnancy Guide to Understanding - Brigham and ...

Things You Should Know Before
Having Your Baby at...
Your Hospital Stay
Brigham and Women’s Hospital believes in providing family-focused, comprehensive care to all
patients. Our family-focused care begins preparing families even before the birth of their baby, with
prenatal care, informational and educational programs, programs for siblings and other services to ensure
that families are well prepared for the new baby.
Our expert team of obstetricians, midwives and nurses handle all types of births – from routine to high
risk. Our medical and administrative staff are always prepared for your arrival and will do their best to
make your birthing experience, from arrival to discharge, as smooth as possible.
When Labor Begins
During your pregnancy, your obstetric care team will give you the details you will need to prepare for
the birth of your baby at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. We will provide you with the best possible
care and give you as much information as we can so that you are fully prepared.
When your contractions are two to five minutes apart, call your obstetric care provider. You may be
instructed to proceed to the main entrance of the hospital at 75 Francis Street. If you arrive by car, a valet
parking attendant is available to park your car. Go to the Obstetrical Admitting Office which is next to the
Gift Shop. After you have checked in, you will be escorted to the Center for Labor and Birth in the Mary
Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health, where a nurse will review your medical history, your
obstetrical history, your allergies and your medication uses. She will also check your blood pressure,
temperature, pulse and the baby’s heart rate. Your obstetric care provider will be notified of your arrival.
Two support people are allowed with you in the Center for Labor and Birth. Other family members and
friends may wait in the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health Lobby, the Main Lobby of the
hospital, the Au Bon Pain cafe in the the Main Lobby, or in The Robert and Ronnie Bretholtz Center for
Patients and Families, which is located behind the information desk in the Main Lobby. Visiting hours in
postpartum areas are from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., but fathers or the support person may visit any time. Children
under the age of 12 are not permitted to visit unless they are siblings of the newborn and are accompanied
by an adult.
Please refer to the Obstetric Anesthesia Service brochure to familiarize yourself with the different types of
anesthesia available to you. The brochure is located in your obstetrical admitting packet. If you have
concerns or questions or need an additional copy of the brochure, please call the Obstetric Anesthesia
Service at (617) 732-8220.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers a variety of Parent and Childbirth Education classes to prepare you
for the birth of your baby. Refer to the Parent and Childbirth Education brochure in your admitting packet
for class topics and details. To register for classes, please call (617) 732-4081.
NOTE: Cell phone usage is permitted in the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health, except for
the 6th floor which houses the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
19