What to expect at PVH and MCR
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We want to help prepare you and help you understand what to expect following your labor and delivery and during your recovery.
Skin-to-skin care
Moments after your delivery, you'll be encouraged to have skin-to-skin time with your baby. The latest research guidelines have shown that two hours of skin-to-skin contact immediately following your baby's delivery, or as soon as possible, mean:
- More stimulation for production of breast milk leading to more successful breastfeeding.
- Your baby will have a more stable heart rate and more regular breathing.
- Your baby will have longer periods of alertness followed by longer periods of sleep.
- Your baby will have more rapid weight gain.
The special time with your baby might mean we delay separating you from your baby for any reason including weighing or bathing if you and your baby are medically stable.
Rooming-in
Your baby will be with you around the clock. Rooming-in means babies cry less, gain weight better and have decreased jaundice. It promotes bonding and helps both you and your baby sleep better. By keeping your baby with you at all times, you'll be able to assimilate to your baby's schedule sooner. Our newborn observation unit is designed for babies with specific medical needs.
Physical effects of labor and delivery
Labor and delivery can be physically draining. During your hospital stay, you will be tired and feeling the physical affects of labor. We encourage you to limit visitors so you can rest when your baby rests. Babies are awake a lot at night. The ideal time for mom to rest is whenever baby is asleep throughout the day.
WeeSteps breastfeeding support
As a benefit to delivering at MCR or PVH, we offer all moms a WeeSteps appointment. You get to meet one-on-one with a certified lactation counselor during your baby's first week of life. At this appointment, your nurse will
- Evaluate both you and your baby.
- Address your questions or concerns.
- Review how to care for yourself and your baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages exclusive breastfeeding, giving your baby only breast milk, for baby's first six months. Your WeeSteps nurse can help you achieve your breastfeeding goals and answer other questions about feeding your baby, introducing solid foods and weaning. WeeSteps is here to support you.
Remember to read
Please make sure you have a copy of our book, Becoming a Family. You probably received a copy during your first trimester and we encourage you to read this valuable resource prior to your delivery. Becoming a Family contains helpful information about what to bring to the hospital, what to expect during your hospital stay, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and anxiety, and other helpful information.
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