New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

D URING YOUR LABOR AND BIRTH
When you arrive to have your baby, you will be taken to an LDR (Labor, Delivery and Recovery) room. This is where you will
labor, birth your baby and stay for 1 to 2 hours after the birth. These rooms are set up to make you feel more at home. Items
needed for your baby’s birth are kept in each room. Each has a private bath and some have large garden-style tubs. These larger
tubs are for warm, comforting baths during labor (hydrotherapy) and are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you are
interested, ask about them when you arrive.
Your nurse will ask you about the birth plans you have discussed with your doctor or midwife. Give her a copy of your birth plan
if you have one. Talk with the nurse about the things she can do to help and support you. Tell your nurse if you or your support
person needs an interpreter or if you plan to use a doula for labor support.
Be sure to tune in to our Relaxation Station, channel 32. The continuous soothing music and relaxing photographs can be a
great help during and after birth.
Staying in touch by telephone
Each room has a phone for local calls. For long distance calls bring a calling card. Collect long distance calls cannot be accepted.
Cell phones can be used inside your labor room or in the waiting room. Please do not use cell phones in the hallways or in the
cesarean operating room. Your nurse will remind you of the areas where you can use your cell phone.
Family and friends during labor
Mission wants families and friends to be able to support mothers and couples at this very special time. Mothers in labor need to
be able to save their energy and focus on the birth. To respect the needs, safety and privacy of all moms and families we ask you
to follow these guidelines:
• 1 to 4 support persons with you during labor and birth. Choose people who will help support you the most. If you use a doula
she will count as one of the four persons. Talk with your nurse if you need assistance with other visitors.
• For safety and privacy, all visitors can wait in the waiting room, not in the hallways. For the health of all mothers and new
babies, all support persons and visitors need to be in good health. We encourage all family and visitors to wash their hands
upon entering and leaving a patient room.
• There may be times when support persons may be asked by the staff, doctor or midwife to leave the room briefly for the
mother’s privacy and comfort. They may wait in the waiting room during this time.
• The presence of siblings at a birth can be very important to families. If you desire your other children’s presence during labor
and birth, please arrange this with your care provider. Big brothers and sisters are welcome to visit on the nursing units.
Other children are welcome to visit if they are 14 or older.
Siblings (older brothers and sisters)
Talk with your doctor or midwife during your office visits about having the baby’s siblings at the birth. If you are thinking about
having your children at the birth, think about:
• Will they be a distraction for you during the labor and birth
• Will they get bored and restless
• How will they feel seeing you as your labor progresses
• Who will be the child’s support person (They need to have someone who can accompany them out of the room, etc.)
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