Congratulations! You have begun one of the most exciting and personally rewarding periods of your life. Whether your first or your seventh pregnancy, you are soon to give birth to another person. What a wonderful experience.

Thank you for considering the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center of Hannibal Regional Hospital for the birth of your child. I know that you will come to understand that the patient-centered family-friendly philosophy of our hospital is demonstrated no more clearly than here.

Every member of the Hannibal Regional Hospital team is committed to providing you, your soon to be born child, and the members of your family with contemporary healthcare of the highest quality. That is what we do. We appreciate having the opportunity to share our expertise and compassion with you during this very special time.

During your pregnancy and after the birth of your child know that the members of the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center are here for you.

With special wishes for a wonderful pregnancy,

John C. GrossmeierPresidentHannibal Regional Healthcare System

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you to experience your childbirth journey with Chris Coons Women’s Care Center at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Together we celebrate an international designation as the first Baby-Friendly Hospital in Missouri. We are committed to family centered maternity care to provide your family with a unique and precious birth experience.

Throughout the next few months you will use this binder to accumulate education materials needed for childbirth preparation classes, hospital guidelines for admission, visiting hours, hospital stay, discharge and when you return home. Our goal is to have all the information in one place so it will be convenient to find and use as you see necessary.

Experiences shared during pregnancy, childbirth and after your baby arrives are cherished memories. Dedicated staff members will guide you with evidence based practices for safe and sensible care for you and your baby. Rooming-in with your baby, family quiet time from 1:30pm-3:30pm each afternoon, and sharing the excitement of your new baby with family and friends will prepare you for parenting. Breastfeeding often and soothing techniques for baby are only a few of the practices we know will help you care for yourself and your baby.

We appreciate your concerns and questions and we are prepared to serve you with exceptional Family Centered Maternity Care. Your childbirth journey is an extraordinary time of your life and we share in your joy!

Respectfully

Linda Dinges BSN, RNCDirector Chris Coons Women’s Care Center

Welcome to

CHRIS COONS WOMEN’S CARE CENTER

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CLASSES

Childbirth Education ClassesChildbirth classes give you the confidence and skills you need to relax and enjoy the birth of your baby. This class provides first-time parents with basic information about labor, vaginal birth, cesarean birth, pain management and postpartum recovery. Learn about pregnancy and basic labor coping skills such as breathing and positioning. Class includes a tour. Classes are offered on Monday evenings as a 5 week series or Saturdays as one all day class. Plan to attend in the 6th, 7th or 8th month of your pregnancy.

Advance Labor Coping SkillsThis class offers a more in-depth discussion on working with the natural process of labor and birth. Practice labor coping skills, positioning, relaxation, and breathing patterns. This class assumes basic knowledge of the process of birth. Does not include a tour.

Lunch at Mom’s - Breastfeeding ClassAs you start your baby out with the best, this class will provide information on wonderful benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom. Subjects like getting started with breastfeeding, building milk supply, and pumping for times away from your baby are a few of the topics discussed. Classes are held on Monday evenings or Saturday morning. Mothers are encouraged to bring a spouse, partner, relative or friend to class.

Infant Care - Tips & Tricks for Baby ClassThis class helps prepare you for the care of your newborn. Learn about diapering, bathing, soothing your baby, infant carriers, baby safety and more.

Little Helper’s - Sibling ClassThe arrival of a new baby in the family is a big event. Our sibling classes help reassure and prepare other children in the family for their mother’s stay in the hospital and the birth of their new baby. We invite you to bring your camera to class as you enjoy watching your children learn about the arrival of their sibling.

Happiest Baby on the Block ClassLearn techniques to calm your baby and help decrease sleepless nights. New parents will learn how to calm down almost any crying baby in minutes. You can come to class before or after your baby is born or both if you

would like. If you come after the birth of your baby, bring your baby with you to class. This class does have a fee of $20 for the “Happiest Baby on the Block” DVD.

A Day About Baby ClassThe day is filled with infant care, tip and tricks to help you care for your new baby. The morning is Breastfeeding Class (9 am to 12 noon) and the afternoon is Infant Care Class (1 pm to 2:30 pm) along with “Happiest Baby on the Block” DVD or VHS (2:30 pm to 3:30 pm).

Heartsaver AED and CPR ClassThe American Heart Association Heartsaver AED/CPR class teaches lay rescuers to recognize and treat life threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and choking for an adult, child and infant victim. Students learn to recognize the warning signs of heart attack and stroke in adults and breathing difficulties in children. Classes include instruction on use of an AED. Course participants will receive a CPR certification card. The course fee is $15 per person, or $20 per couple.

Grandparent’s TeaBring baby’s grandparents with you to this special event. Expectant grandparents will learn about new trends in childbirth and infant care. The latest information about newborn feeding, sleep environments and car seat safety will be discussed along with helpful tips about how to assist your own children as they become new parents. A tour of the department and refreshments included.

Massage for BabyLearn to massage your baby and the many benefits massage has to offer. Massage enhances bonding and provides a special time for you and your baby. Classes run for 3 weeks and have a fee of $20 that includes the supplies you will need and “Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents.”

Dunstan Baby LanguageBecome familiar with the newborn’s world of communication. Explored are ways parents can learn to stop, look and listen – so that they can tune-in and understand the meaning in the cries of their baby. You can come to class before or after your baby is born or both if you would like. If you come after the birth of your baby, bring you baby with you to class.

Whether you are pregnant for the first time or already have children, Hannibal Regional Hospital offers a variety of classes to meet your need and your family’s needs as you prepare for your baby’s birth. At the Women’s Care Center, our classes will help you feel more confident about childbirth and parenthood. For

more information about the topics, dates, times and location of our classes or to register for a particular class, please call us at The Chris Coons Women’s Care Center at 248-5161 or register online at www.hrhonline.org. Childbirth Education classes are free to parents giving birth at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

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HOSPITAL ADMISSION

Hannibal Regional Hospital encourages all expectant mothers to pre-register for their maternity care services. You can pre-register in person at the hospital between the hours of 7 am and 8:30 pm, Monday thru Friday and on Saturdays from 8 am until noon. When you arrive for pre-registration, please have your insurance information and a photo ID available. The pre-registration process expedites the check in process when your big day finally arrives. You can make financial arrangements at any time prior to the birth of your child by calling Patient Financial Services at 573-248-5641. Patient Financial Services can assist you with insurance questions and make payment arrangements both before and after your stay. If you are uninsured, the Short Stay Maternity Care Package is an available option you might discuss with your physician. If your physician feels you qualify for low risk maternity care, you may contact Patient Financial Services for information regarding this program.

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Visiting Hours & Guidelines

Anticipating the birth of a new baby is an exciting time. Waiting can be challenging, especially if your visitors wait longer than a few hours.

At Chris Coons Women’s Care Center we provide family centered care in a secure and comfortable environment. Visitors must use the camera- equipped intercom at our door to request access to the Women’s Care Center. Visitors will be asked to sign into and out of the department.

Visiting Hours are 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The father of the new baby is welcome anytime. Siblings of the new baby are welcome visitors no matter what their age. To help protect our mothers and babies from possible illness or infection, we ask visitors to wash their hands before handling the new baby and refrain from visiting if ill. If you are anticipating visitors unde the age of 18, other than siblings, call and check on the current visiting policy on the unit. Age restrictions may change during flu season. Currently we do not allow visitors under age 12.

To be of most help to the woman in labor we ask that she have only one or two designated people to help her in labor. One or two quiet supportive people will be the most comforting to her. These will be the only people allowed in the room with her while she labors to give birth to her baby.

After the birth of the baby, four visitors are allowed in the rooms.

Information concerning our practices may assist visitors in understanding what to expect and what to do with their time while waiting for your new baby.

1) A pager is available from the secretary at the Women’s Care Center desk for visitors during their wait that will allow them to move about the hospital. The lights will flash when we would like them to return to the unit for information.

2) Areas to wait include: the OB waiting area, the hospital Mall area, Café if they need a meal while they wait, Chapel for some quiet reflection, and Judy’s Boutique gift shop if they feel like shopping.

3) Soda and snack vending machines are located in the Emergency Department waiting area. An

additional soda machine can be found at the north end of the Mall area on the right side of the wall.4) The garden outside near the Café is a pleasant change of scenery if visitors are waiting for many hours.5) Restrooms are at the main entrance of the hospital and in the OB waiting room. Tobacco Free Campus

The hospital has a tobacco free policy for the entire campus. Thank you for not using tobacco.

Infant Security

Chris Coons Women’s Care Center team members wear pink identification badges featuring their photo and name. Do not give your baby to anyone who is not wearing a pink hospital picture ID badge. Our babies room-in with their mothers 24 hours per day. We only care for sick babies in the special care nursery.

If your baby is transported from your room, the baby must be transported to and from your room in his/her crib. Do not carry your baby in the hallways in your arms or allow other family members to do so.

Each newborn will wear a security tag while in the Women’s Care Center. Do not take your infant close to any of the double doors, stairwells, or exits on the unit as this will activate our alarm system.

The unit is secured with limited visitor access for additional safety.

HOSPITAL POLICIES

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Family Quiet Time

We know you may want to share this exciting time with relatives and friends, but you also need rest and privacy. We have set aside “Family Quiet Time” from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm each and every day to give our families a special time to nap and relax during your hospital stay. Hospital staff will not bother you unless you call for something during this time. You may desire to advise your visitors of this naptime.

Rooming In

The time you spend with us is a very important timeto learn about your baby so you are familiar with allthe needs your baby will have once you returnhome. The staff of the Women’s Care Center hasbeen trained to teach you how to swaddle, calmand nurture your baby as well as bathe, feed andcare for your baby’s physical needs. This is doneby bedside demonstration and teaching movies.

To best serve you we have a family centeredmaternity care philosophy. “Rooming In” keepsthe baby with you during your stay. This ispracticed across the country to provide the safestenvironment for newborn babies. Staying togetherwith parents creates a valuable family time forlearning what your baby needs.

Rooming In encourages the healthy newbornand mom to spend as much time together aspossible during their stay. As long as your newbornand you are healthy, the care and monitoring foryour baby will be provided in your room.

The purpose of Rooming In is: • To promote bonding between mother and baby • To facilitate feeding success • To enable you to learn quickly about the needs and behaviors of your newborn • To provide an opportunity for staff members to show you how to meet the needs of your newborn

Babies Rooming In with their mothers also: • Are less likely to become jaundiced • Cry less • Gain weight faster • Sleep more

• Stay warmer • Feed more frequently • Establish their day-night rhythms quicker

Skin-to-Skin

Your chest is the best place for your baby to adjust to life in the outside world. Right after your baby is born she will be placed belly-down directly on your chest. Your care provider will dry her off, put on a hat, cover her with a warm blanket and get her settled on your chest. Snuggling gives you and your baby the best start for breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin babies stay warmer and calmer, cry less, and have better blood sugars. After you leave the hospital, skin-to-skin continues to benefit babies with bonding, soothing, and breastfeeding.

HOSPITAL PrACTICES

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Throughout life we prepare for things that really matter such as school, career, or marriage. Giv-ing birth should be no different. Just as an athlete prepares for a marathon or a musician practices for a concert, the techniques that help a woman give birth to her baby require practice. Having a baby deserves careful and thoughtful preparation, like any other major event in your life. During preg-nancy you and your partner will want to prepare for the extraordinary experience of having a baby. This manual was designed by our childbirth educators to be used in conjunction with classes and to provide you with important information after the birth of your baby. During labor you can help yourself be more comfortable by using relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, and a variety of other comfort measures and body positions. These techniques

can help reduce pain and stress to more manage-able levels in most labors. To be able to use these techniques effectively requires practice. We have included guidelines for you to use at home when practicing breathing and relaxation techniques.

Who can be a labor partner?

A labor partner or labor coach can be anyone that the pregnant woman trusts to help her feel more comfortable. Often labor partners are the baby’s father but they may also be a close friend, mother or sister. To be of most help to the woman in labor, we ask that she have only one or two designated people to help in labor. These are the only support people allowed in the room with you while you labor to give birth to your baby. One or two quiet sup-portive people are more comforting to the laboring woman than a room full of people.

Being a labor partner is a hard but immensely rewarding job. To be of the most help to the woman in labor, attendance at classes with her is important. You need to know what she has been taught and how to practice with her. It is difficult to respond to a contraction with relaxation. Practice is important. The techniques of breathing and relax-ing should become so familiar to you that during the stress of labor you will be able to help your partner. A labor partner’s job varies because every labor is different. Things you can do to help include:• Just being there - your presence is reassuring

in a situation that is unfamiliar• Hold her hand• Be attentive and help her change positions for

comfort• Offer ice chips, back rubs and plenty of praise

and encouragement

WHy PrEPArE fOr BIrTH?

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Who should you bring to the hospital with you?

We recommend only bringing your labor partner. The Women’s Care Center has pagers available for visitors. We can page them after the birth of the baby when you are ready to have them come to your room. It is usually one to two hours after the birth before visitors will be allowed in your room. During labor, we ask that only your labor partner or partners stay with you. Since labor may take many hours, children are more comfortable waiting at home. They can be called at home when the baby’s birth is very close or as soon as the baby is born. Labor partners may want to pack a change of clothes and personal grooming items.

Labor Bag

This manual Robe and slippers for walking in labor Focal point Favorite music with portable CD player, i-Pod, docking station Chapstick Lotion, powder or oil for massage Toothbrush and toothpaste/mouthwash Deck of cards, magazine or book Nutritious snack for partner Contact lens case and eyeglasses Warm socks One or two items for massage List of phone numbers and people to call after the birth Change for vending machine Band for long hair Camera, film, batteries,charger, extra SD card, video camera Extra pillows that are soft and smell like home

Suitcase (For Postpartum)

Two or three nightgowns. For breastfeeding the gowns with buttons in front or hidden openings are nice.

Robe Slippers Two or three bras. Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc. Hair items Cosmetics Going home outfit for mom (something that fit when you were 5 - 6 months pregnant)

For Baby

Infant car seat. All infants leaving the hospital are required to have a regulation car seat. Receiving Blanket Outfit for baby to wear home from the hospital.

WHAT TO PACk?

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