So you're having a baby. Congratulations! You're probably checking out local maternity centers to decide where you want to deliver your baby. We designed Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center's maternity services with your -- and your baby's -- health and comfort in mind. Check out what we offer -- and you'll want to experience our luxurious delivery rooms, experienced and caring staff, state-of-the-art equipment, and parenting classes for yourself. To make preparations for delivery at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, consult with your OB-Gyn and pre-register by completing this form.

Baby stays with you...

At most hospitals, after a short time the staff whisks your baby away to do tests and measurements, and then baby stays in the nursery. At Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, we do all the necessary tests at your bedside, and baby stays with you during your entire stay so you can bond. This also keeps dad with the family, instead of running back and forth from the delivery room to the nursery. What a perfect way to enjoy being together as a family for the first time!

...But only when you want him to

No matter how excited you are to be with your new baby, every new mom needs some time to rest after delivery. If you prefer, our experienced staff will care for your baby in the nursery so you can nap, and bring your little one back to you when you're ready.

Delivery room - or luxury hotel room?

When moms-to-be tour our facilities, they're always surprised at the size of our delivery rooms. And not only are the rooms big -- they're warm and inviting, and are set up like hotel rooms with a bassinet for baby, a warmer so your baby doesn't become chilled while we do the necessary tests and procedures right in your room, a sofa for dad to sleep on, and chairs for all the visitors who want to come and coo over your new baby.

A nurse for your baby.

At most hospitals, there are two labor and delivery nurses in the delivery room whose job it is to take care of mom and, well, deliver the baby. At Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, we replaced one of those nurses with a specially trained Newborn Nursery or Special Care Nursery nurse whose job is to look after the baby's health. While the labor and delivery nurse is there for mom, the specially-trained neonatal ICU nurse is there to make sure all is well with the baby. This nurse is trained to pick up on subtle cues that a baby may need extra help.

Our state-of-the-art equipment gives you peace of mind.

As a new hospital, we have all the latest and greatest equipment to help keep you and baby safe and healthy. While in labor we are monitoring the baby via fetal monitor strips. The mom is wearing the fetal monitor bands/straps around her waist which enables us to trace contractions and baby heart rate. This information can be seen by the physician on their phone or computer which enables them to have the most current information on the status of mom's labor (contractions) as well as the baby's heart rate.

Take our online documentation system: Your baby wears a fetal monitor strip around his wrist that the doctor can scan into his phone or computer to get instant details on your baby's medical needs. Everything the physicians and nurses do, they can document on the strip so everyone stays abreast of new developments in your baby's health and treatment.

Learn more about our Women’s & Children’s Services

• Perinatology
• Labor & Delivery
• Antepartum / Post partum
• Newborn Nursery
• Lactation Services
• NICU
• Childbirth Classes

Perinatology

Perinatology is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology. The perinatologist assists obstetricians and other health care providers in delivering individualized, risk-appropriate care for pregnant women at risk for adverse maternal, fetal or neonatal outcomes.

Preconception counseling

The perinatologist evaluates and provides advice to women who want to have a baby but who worry they may be at risk for complications. This includes women who have an underlying medical illness such as diabetes or hypertension or those who must consider the possibility of genetic complications. The perinatologist provides all pertinent information needed to assist couples in making informed decisions, and then provides guidance and support for the chosen course of action.

Prenatal Diagnosis

Many new techniques allow doctors to identify and monitor potential problems with the pregnancy. These procedures include:

• First Trimester Sonographic Evaluation
  • Identification of pregnancy location and number
  • Assessment of viability
  • Gestation age
  • Screening for Down's Syndrome
• Second Trimester Sonographic Evaluation
  • Screening for Down's Syndrome and other genetic abnormalities
  • Screening for structural birth defects, including spina bifida, heart defects, cleft lip and palate, and skeletal abnormalities
• Invasive Prenatal Diagnostic Testing
  • Amniocentesis (removal of small samples of amniotic fluid for genetic testing or for assessment of other conditions)
  • Fetal blood sampling
  • Chorion villus sampling

Fetal Surveillance

In the late second and early third trimester, many pregnancies are at risk for adverse outcomes and have been shown to benefit from close fetal surveillance.

• Serial sonography for evaluation of growth
• Umbilical artery doppler blood flow analysis in the growth restricted fetus
• Middle cerebral artery blood flow analysis in the fetus at risk for anemia (i.e.,blood group incompatibility, parvovirus infection)
• Non-stress and biophysical profile testing in any fetus at risk for stillbirth

Monitoring of Pregnancies at risk for Preterm Delivery

Women with prior preterm birth, multiple gestation, prior cervical or uterine surgery or other risk factors for early preterm delivery may benefit from transvaginal sonographic evaluation of cervical anatomy. Patients with early cervical change may be offered transvaginal or transabdominal cerclage procedures in an attempt to prolong gestation. Patients with a wide variety of medical conditions (diabetes, chronic hypertension, systemic lupus erythematofis, etc.) may benefit from frequent evaluation.

Complications Management

Women carrying more than one fetus or those who experience preterm labor need careful medical monitoring. Those with cervical incompetence benefit from advanced surgical procedures.

Gynecologic Services

Although perinatology deals primarily with issues of pregnancy, the field has some applications for other women as well. From pelvic ultrasound to saline infusion sonography, a number of different procedures allow the perinatologist to help women with pain and abnormal bleeding. Specific tests allow physicians to visualize intrauterine structures, assess the endometrium, and identify fibroids and polyps.

Staff

In addition to maternal-fetal medicine specialists, staff members include a nurse educator, genetic counselor, and ultrasound technologists certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Insurance

The obstetrical field has well-established guidelines that govern insurance payments. Perinatal care is usually covered since it prevents costly complications at a later date.

Labor & Delivery

Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center has 10 new state of the art private birthing rooms that are designed for your comfort and support. These rooms enable you to labor and deliver in the same bed. Each room has plenty of space to accommodate the labor and delivery team and up to three labor support persons. Each room contains a private bathroom fitted with a shower bench, a couch that transitions into a bed, a telephone and flat screen television with DVD and cabinetry to store your personal items.

Of course, your health and the health of your newborn are our primary concern. Our labor and delivery rooms are fully equipped with the most up-to-date obstetrical and fetal monitoring technology that can be viewed anywhere on the unit. Should the need arise; two operating suites for Cesarean delivery are located within the unit. Our Neonatal Critical Care Unit for newborns who need intensive medical care is also located in the unit.

With the approval of your doctor, we support you in your choice of birth option:

• Natural (A special water tub is available for use during labor)
• Pain medication
• Epidurals

Medical Team:

Anesthesia services are available 24 hours/7 days week
Board certified Perinatologist available 24 hours/7 days a week to consult on high risk pregnancies

All nurses are required to have successfully completed:

• Advanced Fetal Monitoring Course
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program
• Basic Life Support for healthcare providers

Antepartum/Postpartum

Antepartum

Pregnancy complications may sometimes arise. At Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, our high risk antepartum unit gives our smallest patients and their mother’s special care. Your medical team is comprised of your Obstetrician, Perinatologist, Neonatologist and nursing team, who will work partner to monitor your care.

Our technically advanced equipment and facility help us diagnose your baby’s risks for genetic, growth and structural differences. Some babies can be treated with medications or monitoring.

Procedures include:

• Ultrasound
• Fetal echocardiogram
• Amniocentesis
• First trimester screening
• Screening for fetal anomalies
• Non-stress testing
• Fetal biophysical profile
• External cephalic version
• Fetal medicine

Postpartum

After delivery, you will experience family-centered care that puts your baby at your bedside, 24 hours a day. Your partner or designated support person can stay with you and your baby as long as you are in the hospital.

You and your baby will receive personalized attention from skilled nursing and support care team. At all times, your nurse will be available to provide you with care, support and education. Our method of care enables our nurses to spend more time in your room when you need coaching, encouragement or advice. Even experienced mothers appreciate this opportunity to learn – or relearn – the finer points of newborn care within the secure environment of the hospital.

While we encourage mothers to have their baby in the room with them to help nurture mother and baby bonding, we do respect your choice of deciding what is best for you and your baby.

Remember, at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, you have an experienced labor and delivery team ready to help you with needs large or small. We are honored to be your partners in care on your special day – and for a lifetime.

Our Postpartum Unit Features

• 13 new large private rooms with sleep accommodations for a support person
• Secured unit with state of the art infant security
• 24 hour family centered maternity care
• Board Certified Lactation Consultant to help you understand the benefits of breast feeding
• Dietician
• Social Worker
• On-site birth registrar’s office
• Wireless Internet access
• Patient nourishment center located on each unit for patient convenience
• Our 365 photos

For the Safety and Security of Your Baby

• Do not allow anyone who does not have a Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Women’s & Children’s Services picture identification badge to take your baby from your room.
• Check your baby's identification bracelet each time your baby is returned to your room. Confirm that his or her bracelet matches yours.
• Do not carry your baby in your arms in the hallway. Instead, push your baby in a bassinet.
• Keep your baby in sight at all times. If you are alone and need a shower or a nap, we recommend that you have your baby returned to the nursery.

Newborn Nursery

Our experienced nursing staff will provide exactly the level of care new parents want and need, so you can choose to have your newborn in the room as much as you like or your baby can stay with us in the hospital nursery, so you can get much-needed rest. Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is focused on providing family-centered care while supporting family bonding. After the delivery we make every attempt to keep you and your newborn together as much as possible.

Newborn Nursery Services include:

• Secured Nursery area with state of the art security
• Board certified neonatologists providing 24 hour in-house care
• Certified lactation consultants
• Multidisciplinary approach to ensure comprehensive care and discharge planning (speech therapist, physical therapist, lactation, case management, social services, pharmacy, etc.)
• Highly skilled nursing staff to provide developmentally appropriate care
• Baby photos: Our 365

Tests for Newborns

There are several tests and procedures routinely given to newborns:

Hearing Tests

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a hearing test for all babies prior to discharge from the hospital. This is a routine and painless test performed to rule out the possibility that your baby could have a hearing impairment. Hearing loss affects three out of every 1000 newborns. If not detected and treated early, hearing impairment can contribute to language delays, as well as academic, social and emotional delays. The results of your baby’s hearing screen will be given to you by the nurse caring for you and your baby while you are in the hospital.

Hepatitis B Vaccination

Your baby’s doctor will talk with you about starting the Hepatitis B vaccination series for your baby. Many physicians recommend having the first dose given in the hospital, with the remaining doses to be given with your baby’s follow-up care in the doctor’s office to support early protection for your baby.

Newborn Screenings (PKU Blood Test)

In Virginia, the Newborn Screening Program provides important information about the health of newborns. Babies are screened for rare but potentially harmful disorders with a simple blood test. This test will be done prior to discharge from the hospital. Examples of illnesses that are screened for are hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis.

Circumcision

Whether or not to have your infant son circumcised is a personal decision. Prior to your baby’s birth, you should talk with your doctor about this procedure if you are not sure what to do.

Lactation Services

At Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, we understand the importance of breastfeeding and the long-lasting benefits for you and your baby. Learning how to breastfeed can be challenging especially in the beginning and our staff is available to help your family get off to a healthy start. Babies are born to breastfeed, however, it is a learned skill for both mom and baby. We value and recognize the uniqueness of each mother-baby couplet. Our Lactation Services are available to provide breastfeeding support.

Experience you can trust

• Our Family Centered Care approach encourages the active involvement of supporting family members and friends who can make breastfeeding easier and more beneficial for mothers and their babies.
• Our staff nurses within Women’s & Children’s Services participate in annual and on-going breastfeeding education
• Our Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are on staff to provide additional clinical expertise in the management of complicated breastfeeding issues.
• Our Lactation Consultants provide an evidenced-based approach that empowers families to make informed choices to help them achieve their breastfeeding goals.
• We offer free monthly breastfeeding classes for women who are pregnant and considering breastfeeding.

While you are here

• As a patient, breastfeeding assistance is provided as soon after delivery as possible and throughout your stay, 24 hours/day, seven days a week by our staff nurses.
• During your stay, you will be visited by our Lactation Consultant to assess your educational and breastfeeding needs.
• If a baby is admitted to the NICU, one of our Lactation Consultants will help a mother initiate and maintain an adequate milk supply. When the baby is able to breastfeed, the Lactation Consultant is available to help.
• In addition, our Lactation Consultants can help a mother and/or baby in any unit in the hospital. When necessary, we provide a hospital grade pump to be used while the mother or baby is in the hospital.

After you go home

Additional Breastfeeding Resources

International Lactation Consultant Association is a worldwide network of lactation professionals. To find out more information about Lactation Consultants visit www.ilca.org
American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org
The World Health Organization - www.who.org
The Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov
Medications and Breastfeeding - www.neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/
More breastfeeding information - www.breastfeedingbasics.org

NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care

NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The NICU at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is available for infants requiring a higher level of care. Our specialty level unit is available for babies who need special assistance including multiples, premature births and babies with various complications. Our highly trained staff is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for newborns.

In the NICU, we recognize and respect the special relationship between families and their babies. We believe mothers and fathers are important members of our interdisciplinary neonatal-care team. Parents are encouraged to spend as much hands-on time with their baby as possible. Siblings, grandparents and other visitors are welcome to visit subject to limitations on the number of visitors at one time.

Medical team

Your baby's medical team includes:

• Board certified Neonatologist in-house 24/hours 7 days a week
• All nurses are certified in NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) and STABLE (Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab Work and Emotional Support)
• Speech Pathologist
• Physical & Occupational Therapists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Lactation Consultants
• Dietitian

Childbirth Education

It's natural that as an expecting parent, you have lots of questions. We understand, and we're ready to help with answers on a variety of issues from diet and exercise to breast feeding and caring for a newborn. From formal childbirth classes to the bedside education provided by our staff, we’ll give you the information and training you need to feel confident and well-prepared.

As part of our commitment to our community, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center provides all Childbirth Education classes at no cost to you.

• Labor Basics
• Baby Basics
• Breastfeeding
• Siblings
• Tours
• Post Partum support group

You must register for all classes in order to attend. Please contact Consult-A-Nurse at 888-685-1610 to register.