Give to LGH

What to Expect...When the Big Day Comes

Before It's Time

We suggest you pack a hospital bag in your eighth month of pregnancy. You'll want to include a robe, slippers, nightgown, toiletries and underclothes. You should also bring any materials you and your support person may need for your labor, including massagers, music (we provide a CD player in each labor suite) and any special snacks. For baby, you should bring comfortable infant clothing, blanket and a hat and sweater or coat if necessary.

When It's Time

When you find yourself saying, "It's time ...," you'll want to know exactly where to go and what to bring. When you think you're ready to go to the hospital, call your physician's office to let them know. You should then drive to the hospital and go directly to the reception desk in the Emergency Department, where our staff will escort you to the Labor and Delivery unit. There you will find a private room with amenities such as showers, personal CD players, rocking chairs and partner chairs that your labor support person can recline into a bed.

Your Birthing Experience

Our doctors, midwives, and nurses work together as a cohesive team to provide you and your family with the most positive childbirth experience. We offer hydrotherapy (Jacuzzi tub) which you may find soothing during labor. We have a state of the art monitoring system that allows you to move freely while you labor. We have several different options of pain management for you to choose from.

Our Labor nurse's goal is to provide family centered maternity care keeping you and your baby together. Our nurses are available to assist with feeding soon after birth. If you should need a cesarean, our OR suites are located on the birthing unit.

Family, Support Persons and Visitors

The birth of a new child is a joyous occasion to be celebrated and shared with loved ones. Support persons are encouraged to be with you during your birth - both vaginal and cesarean births - and your transition to becoming a mother. We provide a waiting room for your friends and family. Our cafeteria is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and vending machines are also available.

The Mother and Infant Unit

After approximately an hour recovery on Labor and Delivery you will be transferred to the Mother and Infant Unit located on the 4th floor. There you will be greeted by your nurse and oriented to your new surroundings. Our mother and infant nurses provide care to both you and your new baby. Your nurse will be able to answer any questions you may have about your recovery or your baby's wellbeing. We encourage families to keep their babies in their room to foster bonding. There is a central nursery available to your baby if needed.

Visiting Hours

General visiting hours are from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with partners, grandparents and siblings welcome to visit at anytime. For the safety of our patients, visitors and staff with latex allergies, we ask that your visitors refrain from bringing latex or rubber balloons (mylar or foil balloons are fine).

Some Words About Safety

There is nothing more important to us than providing a safe and healthy environment for you and your baby. The Mother/Infant Unit ( MIU) and Labor & Delivery (L&D) are open only to authorized patients, visitors and staff. All of our doctors and nurses are required to wear coded identification badges at all times. Your support person will be given an access card upon admission so that your family may enter and exit the units. MIU and L &D are kept locked for your safety. All other visitors must identify themselves before gaining access to the units.

Safety at the Hospital

  • Your baby will always wear two identification bracelets. If you notice at any time that one of these is missing, please notify a nurse right away.
  • A nurse will check your identification bracelet with your baby's identification bracelet each time your baby is brought to you.
  • If you leave your room, please take your infant with you in his/her bassinet. If you plan to sleep, we encourage you to shut the door and put the crib on the far side of your room next to your bed.
  • Get to know your nurse by name. Feel free to ask the name and position of anyone you don't know who enters your room.

Safety at Home

  • Prepare a written description of your infant, including hair and eye color, height, weight, date of birth, and specific physical characteristics. If possible, have at least one color photograph of your infant (full, front face view).
  • Never leave your infant unattended in a public place, even for an instant. Never allow any stranger, no matter how "safe" he or she appears, to hold or watch your infant for you.

Baby Pictures ... On Film and Online

If you wish, you may have your newborn's photos taken prior to discharge from the hospital. There is a photographer from an outside company who will visit you in the privacy of your room to take pictures of your baby. You will be given an opportunity to view proofs of the pictures prior to placing an order. The photo company also offers a web nursery. If you so desire, your baby's picture will be featured at no cost on our hospital website (www.lowellgeneral.org) for everyone to see. (For security, only your baby's first name and last initial will be included).

Thank you!

Your birth experience is an incredibly important time in your life. Thank you for choosing Lowell General Hospital's Birthplace allowing us to share in this special time with you.

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