Labor and Delivery, Newborn Nursery
We know there are several things you expect when you have your baby. You want to experience the comforts of home within the safety and security of a hospital setting. You want the people who help with your labor and delivery to be well-trained and concerned about you and your baby. Most importantly, you want it to be a time of happiness and sharing with your loved ones.
At Abbeville General Hospital, we treat you like family. From the moment you arrive, you will experience a special kind of care that will continue until you leave with your newborn. The staff of Labor and Delivery, Postpartum and the Nursery work together as one team to give you and your family the experience of a lifetime.
The Maternal Child Care Department is located on the first floor of the hospital adjacent to the Operating Room and near the Gift Shop. There are family waiting areas for the convenience of family and visitors.
Our newly remodeled unit contains 2 LDR rooms in which you will labor, deliver and recover in the privacy of your own room and one Antepartum room in the event you would need testing procedures during your pregnancy. These rooms contain fetal monitoring equipment to measure your contractions and the baby's heart beat, plus other equipment needed for the birth. After your delivery you will recover in one of our four remodeled postpartum rooms.
High Risk Pregnancy
Even if your pregnancy is considered "high risk", or you have conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, we can provide required specialized care, checkups and tests as ordered by your physician to ensure a healthy outcome of your pregnancy. Cesarean sections are done in the Operating Room that is adjacent to the unit, and then you continue your recovery in a private postpartum room in the department.
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During Labor/After Delivery
During your labor, one of our specially trained nurses will be your private nurse and friend- there when you need assistance. Whenever possible, the same nurse will care for you throughout labor, delivery, and recovery. A nurse from the nursery attends the birth to take care of your baby.
Your baby will go to the nursery for routine newborn care, and as soon as possible go back to your room for you and your family to start the important bonding process. If your baby needs oxygen or medications or special attention to conditions such as respiratory problems, infection, low blood sugar, or jaundice, he or she will remain in the nursery with a nurse skilled to care for their needs.
Our specialized skilled staff members understand that there are many decisions to make about childbirth and your need for comfort is important, so we ensure that the very latest in pain management techniques are available to you 24 hours a day. Whether you are attempting a natural delivery or requesting an epidural, we are able to provide you with the comfort and control needed for a safe delivery.
After delivery, when you move to your private room on our unit, your nurse there will be experienced in caring for moms who have just given birth and their newborns. She'll help you get accustomed to the daily routine of caring for your baby. Hands-on instruction will let you feel confident in your new role. If you decided to breastfeed, she will offer gentle guidance and answer all of your questions. We encourage you to keep your baby with you in your room as much as you wish.
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Safety and Security of your Baby
We take the safety and security of your baby very seriously. As a result, we have taken several steps to ensure your baby's safety:
ID Bracelets
Matching identification bracelets are placed on the baby, mother, and support person of mother's choice immediately after the birth of the baby. These bracelets need to be worn until after discharge of you and your baby from the hospital. Only those people wearing bracelets can pick up the baby from the nursery.
ID Badges
All staff that is allowed to take your baby from your room must wear special Abbeville General Hospital photo ID badges that are different than the regular hospital badges. Question anyone who comes into your room if you are not sure they are allowed to take your baby from your room .
Security Lock
Located on the door to the nursery is a key-pad that requires a series of numbers that only the nurses that work in the Maternal Child Care Department know.
Other Measures
In addition, your baby is foot printed and photographed shortly after birth. These photos are available for purchase through a service called Growing Family.
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