New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

For the safety of your baby
We want you and your family to feel safe and comfortable. To provide you and your baby with the safest surroundings it is very
important to:
• Never leave your baby alone, even to take a shower. Staff can help care for your baby at any time.
• Know your nurses’ names.
• If someone you don’t know asks to take your baby, press the call bell for the nurse right away.
• Put your baby in a bassinet any time he or she leaves the room. No one should carry your baby in their arms out of
your room.
• An electronic security system is in place on the Mother Baby Unit. Your nurse will explain how the system works.
Your comfort
Getting relief from pain is important for healing. Ask your nurse about pain medicine and other care that may be done to help
you feel better. The pain medicines will not cause addiction and will help you get out of bed sooner. Being active will help you
feel better. Tune in to our Relaxation Station, channel 32, for soothing music and photos.
Spiritual support
This can be a very emotional time and you may have special needs. Mission has chaplains in the hospital to offer spiritual
support or a listening ear. At your request your nurse will call a chaplain.
Learning more about baby care
Channel 06 is the hospital’s newborn TV channel. Take time to watch these programs with your family while you are in the
hospital, for information on caring for your new baby.
Pictures
Mission has a photo service to make some of your baby’s first pictures. You may want to bring a special outfit to the hospital for
these. The nursing staff will give you more information about this service when you arrive. Right after the pictures are taken you
will be able to select the ones you like and order from a range of package choices. With your permission, pictures will also be
available for family and friends to see on Mission’s hospital website, www.missionhospitals.org. On the home page, look for
“Interactive Tools” on the right side. Click on “Online Nursery.”
Birth certificate and Social Security Card
A Birth Certificate Clerk will visit you during your stay on Mother-Baby. She will collect information used to obtain a birth
certificate and a social security number (or SSN) for your newborn. A SSN is required when claiming a new baby on an income
tax return. The Social Security Administration will mail your baby’s social security card to the address of your choice. Mission’s
Birth Certificate clerk will submit your forms and instruct you on the cost and steps for obtaining the official birth certificate
from the Register of Deeds for Buncombe County. New parents are asked to come prepared with your choice for your baby’s
name. Please take time to consider the choice and spelling of your baby’s name. It can be very time-consuming and require a
lawyer to change names or information on this legal document. Many new families have questions about this legal document,
like naming the baby, child support and paternity. It is always better to ask questions ahead of time. Feel free to call our Birth
Certificate clerks at 828-213-8559 any time before your baby’s birth.
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