Planning Your Baby's Birth
A positive birth experience begins with understanding the birthing process. Your delivery choices at LMH Health include natural childbirth, a full range of pain management options, and cesarean delivery (C-section) when necessary. You may also choose an OB-GYN physician or one of LMH Health's certified nurse midwives to be there for you when the big day comes. It's important to plan for the birth of your child by reviewing your options with your family and your physician or midwife.
Choosing Your Doctor or Midwife
Selecting someone you trust to deliver your baby is a very personal decision. Let the experts at LMH Health help you make the right choice. Our board-certified OB-GYN physicians, certified nurse midwives and nurses designed the Family Birthing Center with you and your baby in mind. Our Special Care Nursery, with neonatologists on-call 24/7, specializes in the care of premature and full-term infants with special care needs. Our doctors and midwives specialize in attentive, compassionate care for you and your baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery and beyond.
Choosing Your Baby's Doctor
Finding a skilled physician to be your baby's doctor is vital to your child's well-being and your peace of mind. You'll be visiting the doctor at least six times the first year alone, so choose one you respect and trust. Begin the search a few months prior to your due date. Call to ensure he or she accepts your insurance and is taking new patients before scheduling an interview.
As a parent, you may wish to choose a pediatrician, which is a doctor who specializes in the care of infants and children. You may prefer a family practitioner who can treat the whole family and patients of any age. Either one is fine, as long as you feel comfortable and confident about your child's care.
Other Big Decisions
Your hospital stay may be brief, so your transition home will be easier if you prepare for baby's arrival well in advance. You want to bring your baby into a safe and loving environment, so consider carefully what changes to make in your home. Don't worry about the minor details but do form an overall plan that includes a "meeting of the minds" between the primary adults in your baby's life.
What to Pack
Because babies have their own arrival schedules, we suggest you have the following items and information packed and ready one month before your due date.
For mom
- Robe and slippers
- Pajamas (optional)
- Sports bra or nursing bra
- Toiletries for you and your partner
- Hair care items
- Loose-fitting and comfortable clothes to wear home
- Your own pillow (we recommend using a colored pillow case from home)
- Lip moisturizer
- Change for vending machines
- Birth registration fee of $4 for the birth certificate (This will be collected by the birth registration clerk at the time the birth certificate is completed)
- Please leave large amounts of money and valuables at home
For baby
- Baby book or other keepsake (optional)
- Clothing to wear home
- Blankets or outfits for pictures (optional)
- Infant car seat
It is your responsibility to ensure the car seat is installed properly. Additional information about getting your car seat checked will be provided at your pre-admission appointment.
Items Provided for You by LMH Health after Delivery:
- For mom: disposable underwear, sanitary pads and tucks pads
- For newborn: diapers, wipes, baby soap, soft hair brush, bulb syringe
Healthy Pregnancy Topics
Each trimester brings you closer to the joyous moment you’re anticipating: the birth of your child. Proper prenatal care, exercise and a healthy diet can enhance your journey through pregnancy. If you have health issues that make your pregnancy high risk, our team of skilled and caring professionals are here to support you along your journey, too.
Preadmission Documents
