Atrium Health Navicent Macon Family Birth Center

Welcoming a new baby is an exciting time for your family. To help make your time here as comfortable as possible, we have most must-have cosmetics and items on hand. But some patients feel more comfortable bringing items from home.

Here’s a packing checklist to help you prepare for your stay:

For You

• Nightgowns and bathrobe
• Slippers and socks
• Comfortable shoes
• Maternity underwear
• Nursing bras
• Nursing pads and nipple cream
• Loose clothing, like pajamas and sweatpants
• Comb or brush
• Shampoo, soap and face wash
• Lotion and lip balm
• Eyeglasses and contacts
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Cosmetics
• Lotion
• Cash, credit card and change
• Hospital paperwork
• Insurance card
• Photo ID
• Name and contact info of your pediatrician

You may also want to consider:

• Music for labor
• Snacks for your birth partner
• Entertainment, like books, magazines or a tablet
• Phone and camera
• Long phone charger
• Breastfeeding pillow

For Your Baby

• Cap and blanket
• Outfit for going home (and other clothing if you want)
• Car seat (must be installed to take your baby home)

When should I call the doctor and come to the hospital?

Follow what your doctor tells you about coming to the hospital. If you think it might be time, call your doctor’s office right away or come to the hospital for an OB assessment.

Where should I park?

You may park on the third floor of the green parking deck. Take the bridge and turn right at the end of the hall to enter the Family Birth Center entrance. Once you are admitted, your significant other will receive a wristband allowing them to access the third-floor bridge.

What will happen when I'm admitted?

If you’re in labor, the nurse will check to see how your labor is progressing. They’ll use a fetal heart monitor to check your baby's heartbeat and your contractions. You’ll be asked to stay in bed while the monitor is on, but may be able to move around once it’s removed, depending on what your doctor recommends.

Samples of blood and urine may be taken. An IV may be started.

You’ll be asked several questions such as:

• How do you wish to control the pain you may feel in labor?
• Are you going to breast-feed or bottle-feed?
• Who is the baby's doctor going to be?
• If you have a boy, do you plan to have him circumcised?

Can I have visitors during labor?

Before your baby is born, visitors will be limited to the following:

• OB assessment – 1 visitor and the visitor must be age 16 or older.
• Labor and delivery (active labor) – 4 visitors at the discretion of the patient, inclusive of a support persona and/or birth coach or birthing doula.

Everyone’s experience with labor pain is different. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help you manage the discomfort, including:

• IV medication: Given intravenously (through your vein), this type of medication helps ease the pain of contractions.
• Epidural: A combination of drugs is injected into your lower back to produce a loss of sensation in the lower part of your body. Repeated doses can be given through a catheter placed in your back.
• Intrathecal narcosis (single-dose pain relief medication): This method is similar to an epidural, except that a single – not continuous – dose of a pain relief medication is given. Pain relief typically starts within five minutes and lasts one to two hours.

Talk to your doctor about your pain management options before delivery.

Meeting your baby

Here’s what to expect right after your baby is born:

• If you desire, we’ll place your baby skin-to-skin on your chest (as long as your baby is stable).
• Then, your baby will be placed in a warming bed for a short time. Then you can hold them, take pictures or videos, and begin breastfeeding if you choose to. If your baby is stable, they’ll stay in the room with you for at least the first hour for breastfeeding and bonding.
• You, your baby and your birthing partner will receive bracelets with matching identification numbers.
• Your baby will be weighed and measured and have their first bath. They’ll also get antibiotic eye drops to prevent bacterial infection, as well as a vitamin K injection to prevent clotting issues.

Caring for your baby

Your baby can stay in the room with you while you recover, which makes it easy for the bonding process to begin.

Though many newborns are awake and alert for the first few hours after birth, it’s common for them to sleep a lot during those first few days – being born is hard work, after all! As you navigate newborn care, our nurses are here to help with feeding and diaper changes and to answer any questions you may have.

As you care for your baby, remember to take care of yourself, too. This means resting when you can, drinking plenty of water and staying nourished – don’t hesitate to ask your nurse for a drink or snack when you need one.

Having a baby is an exciting time and should be shared. Depending on current visitor policies – and your own preferences – loved ones may come meet your baby in the hospital when you’re ready. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Keep in mind visitors will be asked to go to the waiting room, not the hallway, during certain procedures.

One adult visitor/caregiver over the age of 16 may stay with you overnight.

Discharge Instructions

After delivery, you’ll receive information to prepare you and your baby to go home. This includes warning signs, when to call your doctor, important newborn safety information, and a follow-up appointment schedule for both you and your baby. Your nurse will review all of it with you before discharge and encourage you to ask questions.

Newborn procedures

There are several procedures and tests that will be performed before your baby goes home:

• Hearing test: This usually only takes a few minutes and is not painful for your baby. You’ll be informed of the results and any need for follow-up.
• Newborn screening: When your baby is 24 hours old, blood will be taken from their heel and sent to a state-approved lab to test for certain diseases and deficiencies. We’ll share results with your pediatrician and alert you only if additional testing is needed.
• Hepatitis B immunization: Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Hepatitis B vaccine consists of 3 doses – the first can be given while your baby is still in the hospital. After receiving the vaccine, you’ll be given an immunization record, as well as the complete newborn vaccine schedule.

You’ll also need to schedule your baby’s first pediatrician visit before leaving the hospital. Start your search now for a pediatrician and find the perfect fit for your family.

If you have questions about your child’s birth certificate, please contact one of our birth registrars at 478-633-2991. Our registrars are available Monday-Friday 7 am-4:30 pm; Saturday 7 am-12 pm. and closed Sunday.

For your baby's safety, Georgia law requires that they are properly restrained in a car seat anytime you’re traveling by car. This means you’ll need to have your car seat purchased and properly installed before coming to the hospital.