Baptist Health Lexington Preparing for Baby

Preparing for

Baby

Mother & Baby Care

BaptistHealthLexington.com

HavingYour Baby at Baptist Health Lexington At Baptist Health Lexington, we are privileged to celebrate birthdays every day. Nearly 4,000 babies are born here each year, and we feel blessed to share in the special moments when new life is welcomed into the world. Each birth, each newborn and each family is considered special to us.

This guide is meant to introduce you to our family-centered approach to maternity services. From free childbirth education classes to breastfeeding help after your little one has arrived, Baptist Health is committed to giving your baby the best and safest start possible.

We don’t take the trust that thousands of families have placed in us for granted. We work hard every day to provide care we would want for our own family members. It’s why we are known as “the baby hospital” for Central and Eastern Kentucky, and we look forward to providing you with our own unique brand of compassionate care during the birth of your child.

Preparing for your baby may involve a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Baptist Health offers the following services to assure that you get the best of care during this special time: Perinatal Diagnostic Center If there’s a cause for concern regarding your pregnancy, your primary care physician or your OB/ GYN may refer you to specialists in maternal-fetal medicine at Baptist Health’s Perinatal Diagnostic Center. Our perinatologists can determine if what was thought to be an increased risk is actually less to worry about, or if a risk that is real can be managed with close observation and highly skilled medical

BeforeYour care during pregnancy. You may call the Perinatal Diagnostic Center (if you have a referral from your physician) at 859-260-6970.

Gestational Diabetes Education About 10-12% of all pregnancies result in a condition known as gestational diabetes. This condition can be treated for a successful pregnancy outcome for both the mother and the baby. If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, ask your doctor to refer you to one of Baptist Health’s classes where we can help you know what to do.

Call 859-260-5122.

Outpatient Nutrition Education Baptist Health has experienced registered dietitians to help you with all aspects of nutrition.

We provide personal, affordable counseling on health pregnancy diet plans, specialty pregnancy plans, postpartum weight loss, infant/pediatric/ teen issues and more. Call 859-260-5122.

Antepartum (Before Birth) Unit Women who need to be hospitalized during pregnancy are cared for in Baptist Health’s dedicated Antepartum Unit. Expectant mothers with various health needs benefit from specialized care and monitoring throughout their pregnancies in this special unit. Perinatologists, who specialize in maternal-fetal medicine, work closely with the patient’s primary care or OB/GYN physician to ensure that mother and baby receive the best care possible.

Massage Back and neck massage services are available free of charge to moms in our antepartum unit.

Baby Arrives Childbirth Classes Baptist Health offers a variety of classes, many of which are free, to prepare expectant parents for childbirth and parenting. To learn registration and fee information, along with class dates, times and locations, go to BaptistHealthLexington.com and click on Community Classes on the left side of the home page. For more information, please call 859-260-6357.

Classes offered are: Breastfeeding 101, taught by a board-certified Baptist Health lactation consultant, helps prepare expectant moms for the breastfeeding experience.

You’ll learn the how-to’s of breastfeeding, tips for success, preventing and treating breastfeeding problems, and how to successfully combine work and breastfeeding.

Bumps and Babes is a prenatal exercise program that combines low-impact aerobics and toning exercises. The class is an effective way to maintain

a healthy pregnancy, improve circulation, increase muscle tone and decrease discomfort.

Comfort Measures for Childbirth* offers parents-to-be breathing, relaxation, comfort and support methods that can be used during labor and delivery. This class should be taken during the eighth month of pregnancy, but registration is suggested during your fourth month because classes fill quickly.

First Spoonfuls* is designed to help you raise a healthy eater. This series will guide you through feeding your child from infancy to toddlerhood.

You will learn how to transition your child to solid foods, including appropriate serving sizes and proper food consistencies. You will be able to take food samples home.

Great Expectations gives parents-to-be a general overview of having a baby at Baptist Health. You’ll get the answers to questions such as “How will I know if I’m really in labor?” or “What can my support person can do to help me during labor?” A short slide show of Baptist Health facilities lets you “tour” the Labor & Delivery rooms, our nurseries and our postpartum Mother/Baby unit.

Laboring the Natural Way* is offered for moms who would like to prepare for or are interested in exploring the option of an unmedicated birth.

Participants will learn relaxation, visualization, position changes, positive communication methods and comfort measures. Active participation of the partner or support person is strongly encouraged. This class should be taken during your sixth or seventh month.

Little Fingers, Little Toes will teach you the basics of infant care, and you’ll be able to practice safe methods of holding, comforting, diapering

and bathing a baby using a doll or teddy bear you bring from home. A pediatrician will attend the last part of the class to answer your questions.

Marvelous Multiples* deals with both the exciting and daunting nature of expecting more than one baby. Maternal issues, “must-haves” for the nursery as well as what to expect when you deliver will be discussed. Parents of multiples will be available to share their stories and helpful hints and offer support.

New Brother/New Sister* helps your child age 3 or older feel special and an important part of the childbirth event. It will help prepare your child for Mom’s hospital stay. There are two sections: one for children 3 - 7 years and another for children 8-11 years.

Pediatric CPR* will help you feel secure in dealing with emergencies you may encounter with your newborn. Choking, airway obstruction and home/ environmental safety issues will be covered, and CPR for children from birth to 8 years old will be taught. Parents, grandparents and babysitters are encouraged to attend. Fees are $30 per person, or $45 for two people, and $15 for each additional caregiver.

Prenatal Yoga* is a class specially modified for women in any stage of pregnancy. This class is offered at Baptist Health HealthwoRx, located at Lexington Green Mall. It incorporates gentle, safe movements and stretches to strengthen and open the body; breathing exercises to increase calm, focus and balance; and relaxation techniques to help release tension and promote well being. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. To register or get more information, please call 859-260-4438. *Registration required. Unless otherwise noted, call 859-260-6357.

Baptist Health understands what moms and families need during the labor and delivery process because we’ve been sharing in the miracle of birth for generations. We want to make this life-changing experience as safe and special as it deserves to be because we appreciate you choosing Baptist Health to help you make these wonderful memories.

Secure Environment For your peace of mind, our Labor/Delivery and Mother-Baby units and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are secure environments. Visitors – including spouses, significant others, family

When It’s Time members and friends – will need to request access to these areas using phones located near the entrances.

Labor/Delivery/Recovery Rooms Combination labor/delivery/recovery rooms allow you to labor, deliver and recover all in one comfortable room. Fathers or other support persons are able to participate in labor and delivery with the mother’s and the doctor’s approval. Baptist Health takes pride in offering a supportive environment and skilled staff members to meet your individual needs during this important time.

Options Available to Laboring Moms: 24-Hour, In-Hospital Anesthesia Some moms come to the hospital with every intention of giving birth naturally, but at some time in the labor process they change their minds

forYour Baby and want relief from the pain. Other moms include a consultation with an obstetrical anesthesiologist in their birth plan. Baptist Health offers 24-hour, 7-day-a-week obstetrical anesthesia services to laboring moms seeking medication for pain relief.

This team of anesthesiologists also administer anesthesia and monitor vital signs during cesarean deliveries.

Birthing Balls & Whirlpool Tub Moms in labor seeking pain and stress relief may choose to use birthing balls – special physiotherapy balls often used in physical therapy – or a whirlpool tub, which uses soothing warm water to bring comfort and relaxation.

OnceYour Getting to know your newborn during the first few hours of his or her life is a meaningful time for families. Baptist Health appreciates these precious moments and offers the following services to make them even more special.

Mother-Baby Unit After your baby is born, you will be moved to our Mother-Baby Unit, where a registered nurse is responsible for the care and support of both mother and baby. All rooms are private with their own showers, and have Tempur-Pedic速 mattresses, telephones, flat-screen televisions and ConnectMe computers. A recliner/sleeper is available for fathers who want to stay overnight. Some larger Mother-Baby rooms have double beds.

Rooming In Bonding between baby and Mom and Dad should begin immediately after birth. The baby stays in

the mom’s room from delivery to discharge, giving new parents plenty of nurturing time as well as an opportunity for visiting relatives and friends a chance to see the baby up close and personal.

Kangaroo Care Nurses encourage the practice of kangaroo care, holding a diapered baby against the bare chest of Mom or Dad, which provides important skin-toskin contact that has benefits for both the baby and the parents.

Nationally Recognized Nurses You can be assured that you are being cared for by highly trained and skilled nurses who have been honored with Magnet® designation from

Baby Arrives the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This national honor signifies that nurses who work at Baptist Health provide the highest quality care to their patients and families by exhibiting national nursing standards of excellence in their professional roles.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Newborns who require special medical and nursing attention get just what they need in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Neonatologists – physicians specializing in sick and premature newborn care – work together with skilled NICU nurses and a variety of support staff to quickly improve the health of our most fragile babies.

Quiet Time Moms, dads and babies rest and have private time from 2 to 4 p.m. each day, when noise and interruptions on the entire Mother-Baby unit are kept to a minimum.

Lactation Consultants Breastfeeding has been demonstrated to have benefits for both the mom and baby. It’s not unusual for new moms to have many questions or to experience initial problems when trying to breastfeed. Specially trained registered nurses support mothers who choose to breastfeed by offering them one-on-one counseling and support as well as informative literature. The hospital also offers an Outpatient Breastfeeding Clinic for moms who need assistance after their discharge from the hospital. For more information, please call 859-260-4156.

ConnectMe You can share news of your little one’s arrival electronically with friends and family members using ceiling-mounted flat-screen computers in Antepartum and Mother-Baby rooms. This system can also provide information about medical conditions and medications, entertainment such as games, music, movies and online shopping.

Massage Back and neck massage services are available free of charge to postpartum moms.

Perinatal Loss/Bereavement Program Baptist Health recognizes that the loss of a baby is painful and difficult, and that feelings of grief over this loss can be overwhelming. Baptist Health has trained nurses, social workers and chaplains to consult with and support parents and other family members who are experiencing such a loss. Our program, which may be accessed by calling 859-260-6904, also has a support group that meets monthly.

Newborn Channel You can get many of your questions about infant care answered by watching the Newborn Patient Education Channel (Channel 95 in Mother-Baby rooms) This channel helps you know more about what to expect when you take your baby home.

Gift Shop Congratulate new parents with flowers or pick up a gift for the new baby or mom in Baptist Health’s gift shop, located on the first floor of the 1720 building (Building E). The gift shop is staffed by members of the hospital’s volunteer auxiliary, and proceeds support projects within the hospital to benefit patients and their families. You may call the gift shop at 859-260-6671.

Car Seat Safety While in the hospital, moms are provided information about the importance of correct car seat use and locations within the community where they can seek help in properly installing car seats. This information is also provided in several Baptist Health childbirth education classes.

Wireless Central Baptist Health Hospital offers free wireless Internet access to our patients and visitors throughout Building D, where maternity services are located. Wireless access using your laptop requires a wireless card or an adapter.

Baby Central Show off your new arrival to the world on Baby Central. With your consent, a photo and information about your baby will be placed on our Web site – BaptistHealthLexington.com – so that friends and family members can share in your excitement.

Going HomeWith Leaving the hospital with your baby marks a precious milestone for your family, but it’s natural to experience a mixture of emotions and often uncertainty at this time. Baptist Health offers the following services to help make this transition more comfortable.

Discharge Call Shortly after you and your baby have gone home from the hospital, an experienced Mother-Baby nurse will call you to see if you are feeling well and if you have any questions about your/your baby’s medical condition or about infant care.

Outpatient Breastfeeding Clinic Located in the Lactation office across from the second floor Mother-Baby waiting room, the Outpatient Breastfeeding Clinic is available to moms who need breastfeeding assistance from a lactation consultant.

Your Baby The clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday. by appointment, and the first consultation is free.

To make an appointment or to find out more information, please call 859-260-4156.

Happy Baby Yoga* Moms and babies ages 6 weeks to 6 months can experience yoga together in this class focused on discovering modified yoga poses, learning massage techniques and enjoying time together with your baby. This class is held at HealthwoRx at Lexington Green Mall.

Fit Mommas* This outdoor exercise class is designed for moms of all fitness levels. The best part is that you bring your baby so you don’t need a baby sitter. Join other moms as you get back into shape and share this special time. *Registration required. Call 859-260-4438.

1740 Nicholasville Road Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 260-6100 BaptistHealthLexington.com Rev. 4/13