Labor and Delivery
Our goal is for you to have your baby, your way. Labor is an intensely personal experience, and we do all we can to respect your wishes as stated in your Birth Preferences Plan. Our experts can assist in every type of birth, including natural childbirth, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and planned or emergency cesareans.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must enforce a limited visitor policy for everyone’s safety. Only your support person is allowed to attend your labor and delivery, and, if desired, room-in with you during your stay. You may also bring a doula if pre-approved by the manager/director of the Family Birth Center. Please call us to inquire: 760-834-7870.
Our LDRP Rooms
We have 14 brand new, all-private labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum rooms with private bathrooms. Our goal is for you to stay in one room throughout the birthing process. In case the Family Birth Center gets exceptionally busy, we also have four antepartum rooms for women whose labor is in the earlier stages, and seven postpartum rooms, for new mothers and their little ones to be moved to if an LDRP room is needed.
Our beautifully appointed LDRP rooms all have windows to let in natural light. We are the only facility in the valley to offer the versatile and highly adjustable Linet Labor Bed that allows you to labor in the position most comfortable for you.
During Labor
Filling out a Birth Preferences Plan is an important aspect of ensuring your comfort during labor, but the truth is, you may not know what feels right until you’re actually in labor.
We do all we can to provide everything you need to labor in the way that feels right to you:
- Peanut ball and birthing stool to help you get into the right position for labor to progress
- The latest in advanced wireless fetal monitoring, boosted by PeriWatch Vigilance AI, continuously analyzes maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions and labor progression (these technologies allow you to walk around unencumbered while your care team keeps close watch on your progress)
- Should you require strong pain relief, our nurses can administer nitrous oxide or IV pain medications, and we have an anesthesiologist on call 24/7 to provide additional pain medication if needed
When your baby is close to delivery, our nursing staff will help you find the most comfortable position for delivery. We practice the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorsed guidelines for delayed cord clamping. In accordance with the Baby-Friendly Practices, we place your baby on your breast for skin-to-skin bonding immediately after birth.
Not long after birth, we will take your newborn’s footprint digitally using Accutech’s CertaScan® technology. This scan uniquely identifies your little one as clearly as a fingerprint. For added security, the sophisticated Hugs Infant Protection System electronically connects you and your baby using mother-and-child ID bands.
Each room features a warming table to keep your new arrival cozy should baby need additional support after birth. We encourage breastfeeding right away. We offer robust Lactation Services, and a specially trained lactation nurse is available to help with breastfeeding. In addition, we have certified lactation consultants on staff. The mother also has an opportunity to take part in her baby's first bath, which occurs once baby is stable and can maintain a consistent temperature.
Baby Gifts from Us to You
It is our honor and joy to welcome your baby into the world. As tokens of our appreciation, we give our new parents:
- A special celebratory meal for you and your partner
- A Joeyband™ cuddler for comfortable nursing and skin-on-skin bonding
- A kit full of useful information and resources to take home
Getting Ready to Go Home
Visits to Expect Before You Are Discharged
Our specially trained staff provides ongoing education to ensure each new family has the information and resources they need:
- Our expert postpartum nurses and certified lactation consultants visit you after delivery and are available to answer questions and assist you with breastfeeding issues
- A birth clerk visits the new parents to record the newborn's information and register the birth with the county to initiate the birth certificate process (an official birth certificate is issued by the county or state vital statistics after discharge)
- A hearing specialist will perform hearing screens on all babies before discharge
Support
We are proud to support our Eisenhower moms during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and even after they go home.
An RN will call home to check on you during your first week home to see how you and your little one are doing, provide breastfeeding tips, and answer any questions you might have.
Some new moms enjoy finding support from other new moms — right now, social platforms like Yelp and Facebook offer New Mom groups.
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